Early this morning, two of our longtime Cachapas y Más employees, Edgar Coque and Silvia Guevara, lost everything when their apartment caught fire.

The fire started around 3:00 AM in a neighboring unit. Edgar, Silvia, and their two children—ages 7 and 4—were forced to run out immediately, escaping safely with only the clothes they were wearing. While we are incredibly grateful that their family made it out alive and unharmed, they lost everything inside their home: coats, clothes, toys, furniture, cash, cell phones, and irreplaceable memories built over years.

Edgar and Silvia have been an integral part of the Cachapas y Más family for years. Their work ethic, respect for others, attention to detail, and genuine kindness set an example for everyone around them. Our restaurant would not be the same without them—we are better because of who they are, both as teammates and as people. Above all, they are loving, dedicated parents who work tirelessly to provide for their children.

In a single night, Edgar and Silvia lost their home and everything they owned. Rebuilding their lives, finding stable housing, and replacing basic necessities will be incredibly difficult without support.

This fundraiser is about community. It’s about supporting the people who work behind the scenes to keep the restaurant industry—and this city—moving forward. Edgar and Silvia are the real driving engines of New York: hardworking, resilient, and always showing up for others.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will help them take the first steps toward stability and starting over. Thank you for supporting this family during an unimaginably difficult time.