Burning through over 40,000 acres, the Los Angeles wildfires have impacted a number of cafés and coffee workers throughout the city. We’ve compiled a list of resources for those impacted.
BY EMILY JOY MENESES
ONLINE EDITOR
Since the morning of January 7, numerous wildfires—the result of strong winds and a prolonged drought season—have been wreaking havoc upon a number of Los Angeles areas, including the Pacific Palisades, San Gabriel Valley, and San Fernando Valley. First responders are still working tirelessly to contain the fires, but the natural disaster has already devastated many communities, burning through roughly 40,000 acres and 12,000 structures, many of which are homes and small businesses.
As the crisis continues to unfold, we’ve gathered a list of L.A. coffee shops offering help to first responders and evacuees, as well as coffee community members within the L.A. area who have been affected and are in need of support.
Café de Leche
A pillar of the Los Angeles specialty-coffee scene since 2008, Café de Leche has sadly lost its Altadena location to the fires. “It’s been an honor, Altadena,” the café writes on their Instagram. “This isn’t goodbye—it’s see you later. We will rebuild not only as a business, but as a community.” To aid their efforts to get back on their feet, Café de Leche is asking for customers to visit their Highland Park and Hollywood locations, or purchase a coffee subscription through their website.
Highlight Coffee
Located in L.A.’s Glendale neighborhood, Highlight Coffee shares that they plan to transition their shop into a recovery and rebuilding hub for locals who have been affected by the fires. While the transition is still in the works, the shop writes to Barista Magazine that they will soon be asking for donations to help keep their staff employed and to provide drinks and supplies to locals affected by the fire. The café also shares that one of their baristas lost his home of 10 years to the fire, and they are asking for donations on GoFundMe to support him as he rebuilds.
Cafecita Coffee
Burbank café Cafecita Coffee donated the proceeds from all drip coffee sales on January 11-12 to the California Fire Foundation. The shop also shares that customers can purchase discounted 96-ounce coffee carafes to be delivered to first responders. Orders can be made on their website or in person.
Auntie’s Coffee & Matcha Bar
Coffee pop-up Auntie’s shares that they want to be of service at this time. The team is currently looking for places to pop up to give away free coffee and matcha beverages. “If your school, business, company, or neighborhood would like us to come through with free bevs, email info@autiesla.com,” they write on their Instagram.
Hey Hey Drinks
Serving as a teahouse, café, and boba shop in one, Echo Park’s Hey Hey Drinks has launched their Pay It Forward program, through which they will be providing free drinks to firefighters and first responders. Those who want to support can pre-purchase drinks to be donated on Hey Hey’s website, and first responders can visit the shop to get their free beverage. “Together, we can show our appreciation, however small, and help keep (first responders) hydrated during this traumatic time,” the establishment writes.
Kindness and Mischief
Highland Park’s Kindness and Mischief (K+M Coffee) is currently serving community meals for evacuees, first responders, and firefighters. They are also taking Venmo donations (@kandmcoffee) to distribute gift cards to those in need.
“We opened up this past weekend as a donation center but paused physical donations at the moment because of the incredible response,” the shop writes to Barista Magazine. “We’ll probably (open up donations) again once we have more distributed and get updated needs.”
Coffee Confessionals
Located on Hollywood Boulevard, Coffee Confessionals is offering coffee and food to first responders and those impacted by the fire. “To all first responders: our door is open to you to enjoy food and drinks as a small token of gratitude for everything you do in keeping us safe,” the coffee shop shares on their Instagram.
Found Coffee
On January 16, Found Coffee is hosting a silent auction to raise funds for locals who lost their homes to the wildfires. They will be auctioning off services from local small businesses, gift cards to local restaurants, loose leaf tea bundles, ceramics, and more. The silent auction is being hosted in collaboration with other coffee shops including Stereoscope Coffee, Birch Coffee, and more.
Groundwork Coffee
Groundwork Coffee is currently offering free coffee for firefighters at a handful of locations.
More Resources
For anyone who has been impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network (MALAN) has compiled a list of resources, including evacuation centers, donation drives, animal boarding, free meals, and more. Click here to access it.
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