Kate’s Restaurant in Tamarac.
By Bryan Boggiano
After tragedy struck Haiti, a Tamarac restaurant is asking the community to help with relief efforts.
Kate’s Restaurant and Catering, located at 6965 W. Commercial Blvd. is raising funds to purchase supplies, meals, and housing for people affected by the recent fuel explosion in Cape Haitien, located on Haiti’s northern coast.
For co-owners Katusca Sanon, of Tamarac, and her parents, Walace Garcon and Kate Garcon, of North Lauderdale, the tragedy hit close to home and affected several people they know personally.
They ask for clothing, nonperishable foods, water, and first-aid items such as bandages, gauges, wound wraps, and rubbing alcohol to help residents. They are also raising funds to rebuild homes and provide temporary housing.
The fuel explosion is one of the multiple crises that affected the country this year. This followed the July assassination of President Jovenel Moise, the August earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people, overwhelmed and undersupplied hospitals, an increase in kidnappings and gang violence, and fuel shortages.
According to Kate’s Restaurant’s GoFundMe page, hospitals and schools rely on gasoline and diesel for electricity.
The owners have performed charity work throughout Haiti in the past, but this time, Sanon says that the severity of the disaster exceeds their capabilities to provide relief alone. That is why they are asking the community for help.
Originally a catering company, last June, they opened their Tamarac restaurant, which serves a wide assortment of Caribbean, Haitian, Jamaican, traditional American, and Latin food. Kate’s also has natural smoothies and vegan options.
Sanon and her family will participate directly in the relief effort and have a group of employees and volunteers in Haiti who are ready to help. By reaching out, Sanon hopes that they can help people in the recovery process help offset supply shortages and provide necessities.
“Haiti has been through so much this year,” she said. “We just want to provide some sort of relief for the end of the year. Nobody should have to go through all that.”
Residents can donate supplies at the restaurant and money to their GoFundMe page.
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