A vigil was held outside the Embassy of Lebanon in D.C., a day after Tuesday’s explosion in Beirut.

/ Photo courtesy of Farrah Skeiky

Washingtonians with connections to Lebanon are organizing relief efforts to help Beirut, which was devastated by a massive chemical explosion.

A number of local initiatives and restaurant specials are being coordinated by community leaders and businesses in support of the capital city.

“The Lebanese community in the D.C. area is mobilized,” says Grace Abi-Najm Shea, who co-owns local chain Lebanese Taverna with her family. “Me being Lebanese, specifically, it’s unfathomable what these people have to go through. Even if you’re not Lebanese, watching the videos and the footage of what happened have left a lot of people wanting to do something.”

People around the world have sought ways to support those who are grieving or in need of supplies after the chemical explosion ripped through Beirut on Tuesday. The ammonium nitrate blast at a warehouse killed at least 137 people, injured thousands, and has displaced more than 300,000 people.

Here are some of the local events and restaurant specials that have already been planned.

LiBeirut

LiBeirut (“for Beirut” in Arabic), a group within the local Lebanese community is organizing a supplies drop-off on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The group is looking for medical and hygienic supplies, and clothing. (You can find a full list of items here.) Organizers will be sending the supplies to the Lebanese Red Cross and Lebanese-based non-profit Arcenciel. Where: Our Lady of Lebanon Church, 7142 Alaska Ave NW.

#Beitna

Chef Marcelle Afram (of Maydan and Compass Rose) teamed up with chef Roro Asmar (of Asmar’s Mediterranean Foods) to launch a fundraiser called Beitna, which means “our house” in Arabic. The two chefs coordinated with other local restaurants to put special dishes on their menus. All proceeds will go directly to the Lebanese Red Cross and Impact Lebanon.

“It has so much symbolism behind it, even when you use it in Arabic,” Afram told Eater DC. “When you welcome someone in Arabic you automatically tell them it’s our house, like, it’s theirs as well.”

Restaurants participating in the Beitna fundraiser include:

Maydan is offering new menu items, including a harissa braised-goat hummus and a summer vegetable hummus, as well as a special list of cocktails. Where: 1346 Florida Ave NW

Compass Rose is selling a man’ousheh, a summer vegetable flatbread with bundura harra (a Lebanese tomato salsa), cucumbers, sumac onions, and mint. Where: 1346 T Street NW

Lebanese lounge and restaurant Zikrayet and its parent company Asmar’s Foods are donating portions of their mezze (Mediterranean small plates) and hummus sales to disaster relief. Where: 2006 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, Va.; Asmar’s original hummus is available at D.C.-area Whole Foods and Harris Teeter locations.

Lei Musubi is donating a portion of proceeds from its most popular item on the menu: the OG musubi. The Hawaiian rice ball snack has caramelized Spam or smoked kimchi for its vegan counterpart. Where: Saturdays at the Monroe St. Fresh Farm, 716 Monroe Street NE; order DIY kits here.

Korean restaurant Anju — Washingtonian’s top restaurant of 2020 — is running a hashweh fried rice special through Tuesday, with all proceeds going to the Beitna fundraiser. Where: 1805 18th Street NW

Middle Eastern cocktail bar the Green Zone, is donating proceeds from three of its cocktails to the Lebanese Red Cross. “It’s up to us all to make a difference,” the owners wrote on Instagram. “Stay strong and drink to a good cause.”

Coin Mezze, a Lebanese carryout option at the Brixton on U Street is donating proceeds to the Lebanese Red Cross during the Beitna fundraiser. Where: 901 U Street NW

Adams Morgan burger hotspot Lucky Buns has pledged $1,000, along with all the proceeds from its adna burger to the relief effort. Where: available for takeout at 2000 18th Street NW; or at Union Market, 1309 5th St NE

More Local restaurants

Lebanese Taverna, with restaurants in Arlington and 11 other locations, launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe. It quickly raised more than $41,000 — all of which will go to the Lebanese Red Cross. The group already donated $20,000 of those funds, the owners say.

Through the end of the month, $1 from every hummus order at any Lebanese Taverna and LebTav locations will go to José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen. Dany Abi-Najm, Shea’s brother and restaurant co-owner, is traveling to Beirut with Andrés to help deliver supplies and food to those directly effected by the explosion. Where: Multiple locations.

At Capo Deli, all proceeds from its “For Beirut” cocktail — made with Hendricks gin, basil, and cucumber — will go to the Lebanese Red Cross.

Dupont cafe and bar Residents, whose founders are of Lebanese descent, is donating 10% of its proceeds to relief efforts through Aug. 15. The co-founders shared in a post that they are on the ground in Beirut, working to help families displaced by the disaster.

This list will be updated.

Filed Under: Beirut, disaster relief, Lebanese Taverna, relief efforts,