Nepal Flood Relief Momo Fundraiser, Santa Barbara

On August 26, 2026, a catastrophic glacier collapse in the Himalayas triggered devastating flash floods across Nepal. More than 1,300 people have been killed, and over 5,500 remain missing, with an estimated 84,270 people affected across 17 municipalities. Homes, roads, and bridges were swept away in minutes, leaving thousands of families to rebuild everything they had worked for, from nothing.

As a graduate student researcher at UC Santa Barbara of Nepalese origin, watching this unfold from afar has been heartbreaking. I wanted to respond in a way that felt personal and meaningful. So I'm turning to something close to home: momo, Nepali dumplings.

Food has always been a way to bring people together, and momo holds a special place in Nepali people’s hearts. By turning something we love into a fundraiser, we hope to make giving feel personal, warm, and share a piece of Nepal with everyone who would like to join and enjoy the community.

Where your donation goes: To keep our fundraising transparent and trackable, we're collecting all contributions through a GoFundMe campaign. 100% of proceeds will be sent directly to the Government of Nepal's Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (PMDRF), which is coordinating rescue, relief, and recovery efforts for affected families.

Join us:

September 19th at 11 AM – 3 PM

Masala Spice, 1919 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA-93109

POC: Nishi Rauth

How you can help:

Every contribution, big or small, helps families rebuild. If you are not able to attend, donations regardless of your attendance are appreciated. Thank you for standing with Nepal.

This fundraiser would not be possible without the generosity of Raj and the team at Masala Spice, who opened their doors and offered operational support. I also want to appreciate my friends and family supporting me with the logistics, marketing, and standing by me to organize this fundraiser.

Disclaimer: No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.