Bronx businesses and community members launch donation drive to support Venezuela after earthquake
For David Brito, a member of the Venezuelan community in New York who moved to the city from Venezuela six years ago, the disaster became personal the moment his phone rang.
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Businesses, restaurants and community members across New York City are coming together to support Venezuela following the devastating earthquake that struck the country earlier this week, with donation drives now underway across all five boroughs.
For David Brito, a member of the Venezuelan community in New York who moved to the city from Venezuela six years ago, the disaster became personal the moment his phone rang.
While many first learned about the earthquake through social media, Brito said he first heard about it directly from his mother, who was experiencing the earthquake in real time.
“When my mom called me and told us, ‘W’re having an Earthquake in Venezuela,’ I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’” Brito said.
The call immediately left him fearing for loved ones still living in the country.
“Like super worried about family, my mother, my brother are still living there,” he said.
Although Brito said his family was able to make it through safely, he knows many others were not as fortunate.
“Thank God my family is good and they’re safe. There’s a lot of people suffering and missing right now,” Brito said.
In response, Brito has spent time traveling across New York City collecting donations that will be sent overseas to help those impacted.
“We’re taking donations to the place where we’re gonna pack everything tomorrow,” he said.
One of those stops included Key Food Fresh in Castle Hill, where Brito works as a morning manager.
The store has joined a growing list of businesses collecting donations, with coworkers rallying behind the effort.
“We have a lot of employees who are from the country and the devastation is tragic... Goes to show the type of person he is... great person not letting anything getting to him personally but doing what he can to make a difference,” said Felipe Rodriguez, evening manager at Key Food Fresh.
Rodriguez said the store is encouraging community members to donate essential items that can be shipped overseas.
“Wipes are good, paper plates perfect too,” Rodriguez said.
Organizers say some of the most needed supplies include bottled water, baby food and non-perishable items such as canned goods.
So far, more than 250 bags of donations have already been collected, with the first shipments expected to be sent overseas early next week.
Additional Bronx drop-off locations include Food Fair Fresh Markets on Jerome Avenue and on 163rd Street.
For Brito, the mission remains deeply personal.
“Venezuela is everything to me. We love our country. We love our people. We love our people and we’re always trying to help each other,” Brito said.
