DoorDash Distributes $200,000 in Grants to Restaurants Affected by LA Wildfires

DoorDash has awarded $10,000 grants to 20 small restaurants impacted by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires in January, the company announced Friday.

The DoorDash-funded Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund aims to provide direct financial support to restaurants impacted by the fires. With support from small business resource Hello Alice, the grants are intended to help restaurant owners cover critical expenses such as rent, equipment replacement, inventory and payroll as they work to rebuild and recover, the food delivery company said.

The announcement was made where Amara Kitchen — an Altadena café that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire — once stood. Local restaurant owners, community members and civic leaders came together to celebrate the resilience of the city’s culinary entrepreneurs.

“When we lost Amara Kitchen to the fire, we lost more than just a building — we lost a gathering space, memories, and a part of our identity,” said Paola Guasp, owner of Amara Kitchen. “There have been moments of heartbreak, but also of deep gratitude. This support from DoorDash gives us hope and helps us begin the hard but hopeful work of rebuilding.”

DoorDash’s relief fund supports restaurants impacted by natural disasters, severe weather events or major infrastructure failures by providing financial relief through grants. Since 2021, the fund has provided more than $2.5 million in grants to more than 250 local restaurants affected by natural disasters, the company said.

The latest grant recipients also include the Emma Habesha Restaurant in Inglewood, Go China in Pasadena, Monsieur Crepe Cafe in Sierra Madre, Ollo in Malibu, Sampa’s Pizza in the Santa Monica and Marina del Rey areas, San Marino Café and Marketplace in San Marino, Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar in Pacific Palisades, and Sugarbird Sweets and Teas in Glendale.