Venezuelan Restaurant Owner In St. Pete Collecting Items For Earthquake Recovery

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — As Venezuelans continue to search for missing loved ones in the aftermath of Wednesday’s destructive earthquakes, here in St. Pete, Carupano Kitchen owner Andrea Osorio is keeping a watchful eye on news from back home.

She’s also doing what she can to help from thousands of miles away by collecting donations of items needed during earthquake recovery in a country that has experienced few natural disasters.

“I think the last one was in, I think, 1998,” she told Patch. “This came out of nowhere. Not only that, but Venezuela was already a country in shambles before this. So, having to experience a natural disaster like this when they don’t have hospitals that work, doctors that can give care, it’s very, very scary.”

The country was hit by a one-two punch of 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes. As of Saturday morning, at least 920 people are dead and more than 51,000 missing.

Osorio and her mother, who works on the food concept with her daughter, will be collecting items at Foodie Labs, 515 22nd Street S., where Carupano is based on Saturday through 7 p.m.

Then, on Sunday, they’re “going on a little adventure,” renting a U-Haul to drive the supplies to Miami, where they’ll hand the items off to Global Empowerment Mission, which will be making a trip to Venezuela.

They’re looking for the following items:

• Non-perishable food
• Baby formula
• Diapers and baby wipes
• Over-the-counter medications
• First aid supplies
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo)
• Bottled water
• Flashlights and batteries
• Blankets and bedding
• New clothing and shoes
• Cleaning supplies
• Pet food and pet supplies

They'll also provide updates on items that are needed and donation logistics on Instagram.

Osorio, born and raised in Venezuela, moved to the United States 15 years ago when she was 17 years old.

“We came to the U.S., like many immigrants, for a better life,” she said. “Now, here I am with my own business.”

Her Venezuelan roots are at her core, even influencing Carupano Kitchen’s menu of arepas and other items inspired by family recipes. So, she was devastated when she learned about the earthquakes that rocked the country.

“With everything that is happening right now, Venezuela is not only near to my heart and dear to my heart, it's home,” she said. “It's home to my family, my brother, my dad, my parents’ business, so many friends.”

The country’s infrastructure was already struggling before the earthquakes. Additionally, the people are distrustful of the government and Venezuelan leaders.

“We don’t have a system that works, like firefighters and police that we trust and military that we trust. They have suppressed our people for so long that we don’t trust the system. It’s a scary time,” Osorio said. “At the same time, through the madness, we’re seeing Venezuelans really show up for each other … The people doing the rescue work are civilians.”

Her father owns a cement business and is using his equipment to help haul away debris, she added. “And a lot of people are moving things with their hands, shovels, things like that. It’s crazy to see how civilians are holding the country together right now.”

The devastation is even more personal for Osorio and her family, as her best friend’s father was still missing as of late Friday afternoon.

“We’re still waiting and hoping, to see if he’s ok,” she said. “Also, searching hospital lists for him and other people.”

The country is also relying on aid and donations from other countries in the aftermath.

Osorio was eager to do what she could to help her family and fellow Venezuelans back home as soon as she learned about the earthquakes.

“The first thing we did [Thursday] when we woke up was ask, ‘What can we do today to help?’” she said. “And I realized, well, we have a business, a small business, a small operation; we don’t make thousands of dollars, but we can promote, hey, come eat, and all the proceeds we make will go to Venezuela.”

After a slow start to the day, Carupano Kitchen raised more than $1,000, which they donated to the We Love Foundation, formerly the Love Venezuela Foundation.

“We went to bed, I don’t think I can say happy; I don’t think anybody could be happy in this situation, but feeling we did all we could [Thursday,]” Osorio said.

Those who want to donate items for Venezuela through Carupano Kitchen can bring them to Foodie Labs through 7 p.m. on Saturday.

She said this won’t be the last donation drive hosted by the restaurant.

Carupano Kitchen is also hosting a July 5 brunch market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Foodie Labs. The vendors at this market will be raffling off items to raise funds for Venezuela’s hurricane recovery.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.