NoVA Restaurants Raise Money For Lebanon After Explosion

VIENNA, VA — On Tuesday, an explosion in Lebanon's capital city Beirut killed over 100 people and injured thousands. As the country works copes with the aftermath, Northern Virginia restaurants with ties to the country want to help.

Vienna's Zenola is a Lebanese restaurant that opened in 2019. In a Facebook post, Zenola's owners said a portion of August sales will be donated to the Impact Lebanon Disaster Relief Fund. Diners will also be given the option to make a direct donation through their check.

"The city and its people are near and dear to our hearts, reads the post from Zenola. "We're heartbroken over the loss of life and the destruction of vital infrastructure. The road ahead to recovery and rebuilding will be a long one."

The restaurant also provided a link to places where residents can donate directly. Lebanese Red Cross and Impact Lebanon are providing direct support to the Lebanese people, according to Zenola.

Another fundraising effort is happening at Lebanese Taverna, a local restaurant concept owned by a family from Lebanon. The Abi-Najm family left Lebanon during the civil war in the 1970s and settled in Arlington, opening their first Lebanese Taverna in 1979 in Arlington's Westover neighborhood.

To help the people of Lebanon, the family set up a GoFundMe page and has already raised tens of thousands of dollars.

"We left over 40 years ago for a better life in America but our hearts will always be Lebanese. We are heartbroken for Lebanon," the family stated on GoFundMe. "Yesterday's disaster has left thousands of people homeless, injured and without food. We are also grateful to the community that has supported us over the years and enjoyed Lebanese food. You welcomed us into your homes and supported us. Now, we ask that you support Lebanon and it's people."

Do you know about other local fundraising efforts for Lebanon? Share them below in the comments.