A Las Vegas restaurant has turned its dining room into a donation center as the local Venezuelan community rallies to help families devastated by recent earthquakes in Venezuela. Volunteers have filled the space with food, clothing, hygiene products, and medical supplies as donations continue arriving ahead of the first shipment overseas.
The Las Vegas Restaurant Makes a Relief Effort For Venezuela Amid Earthquake
Rika Arepa Express, a Venezuelan restaurant on East Flamingo Road, has temporarily transformed its dining area into a collection center for earthquake relief. The business, which has served the Las Vegas community for the past decade, partnered with two other Venezuelan-owned businesses to organize the humanitarian effort.
Instead of tables and customers, the restaurant is now lined with boxes of diapers, canned food, clothing, medicine, and hygiene products. Organizers said every donation, regardless of size, will help families facing severe shortages after the deadly earthquakes.
Per KTNV, Emily Enriquez, who has family and friends in Venezuela, said the response from the Las Vegas community has been overwhelming. “It’s been wonderful,” Enriquez said. “There’s a lot of help, and we’re all very thankful because this is a tragedy that the country is not ready for.”
She said hospitals remain overwhelmed while many communities continue to struggle without adequate medical supplies and other essentials following the disaster. Enriquez added that the support shown by residents has provided hope during an incredibly difficult time. “It’s been so heartwarming because everyone has really put themselves in our shoes,” she said.
Venezuela made headlines after two earthquakes rattled through cities within the span of a week, displacing thousands as rescue teams launched a desperate search for survivors. Per WION, the fatality toll nears 2000 as emergency workers comb through the rubble for signs of life.
Volunteers Rally Together as Donations Continue to Grow
As word of the relief campaign spread, dozens of volunteers joined organizers to sort, pack, and load donations throughout the week. Radio Latina Las Vegas’ Robert Gonzalez said the operation expanded quickly as more community members offered both supplies and their time.
“We started organizing everything,” Gonzalez said. “People started bringing everything, and they stayed to help.” Restaurant owner Migdalia Davila said support has extended well beyond the Venezuelan community.
“Thank God we have had enormous participation,” Davila said. “Not only from Venezuelans, but from the Latino community and many Americans too.” Volunteer Delia Rodriguez said she initially planned to drop off a few donated items but decided to remain and help package supplies.
Meanwhile, another volunteer, Carlos Chavarria, contributed his trailer and spent several days transporting donations as hundreds of boxes continued arriving at the restaurant. Throughout the weekend, volunteers packed truckloads of relief supplies while new donations arrived steadily.
Gonzalez said the mission remains focused on helping earthquake victims recover from the disaster. “At the end of the day, this is not about us,” he said. “We’re doing whatever we can from Las Vegas to support them.” The donation drive is scheduled to continue through July 5, after which supplies will be transported to Miami for shipment to Venezuela.
Donation Drive Continues Ahead of First Shipment to Venezuela
Organizers said the first truck carrying donations is expected to leave Las Vegas on Friday for Miami. From there, humanitarian partners will coordinate shipments directly to affected communities in Venezuela.
Rika Arepa Express continues accepting nonperishable food, children’s supplies, clothing, hygiene products, medicine, and other essential items. Volunteers are also needed to help sort, organize, and prepare donations before transportation.
Community members can deliver donations directly to the restaurant on East Flamingo Road throughout the collection period. Organizers said the effort demonstrates how local businesses and residents can unite during international crises.
While thousands of miles separate Las Vegas from Venezuela, volunteers hope the supplies collected will provide immediate assistance to families coping with the aftermath of the earthquakes.
