Help Spruce Pine's El Ranchero workers post-Hurricane Helene

As many know, Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene in late September, and Spruce Pine in particular was hit badly. We are raising funds for the Mexican restaurant there, El Ranchero, which was completely flooded. Not only was it people's source of income, but it was a place of residence as well. People lived on the top floor above the restaurant, so people are out of a job, a home, and their cars were washed away on top of it all. It is so tragic writing this out. Here is the story as told by my friend Gadiel (translated from Spanish):

The restaurant opened 17 years ago, and the same manager continues working there. He and 9 others are now without a job. Four cooks lost not only their jobs but also their house and car because the hurricane washed them away. It's been very hard for them because it's been over a month and a week, and they haven't received help. The insurance won't cover any losses because the cause is flooding. It's very sad and hard to see my first job where I learned so much and met so many kind people that I love a lot suffering.

We would appreciate any help you can give to them, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

From Heart: I personally went to eat at the restaurant with Gadiel in May, and the servers were very friendly, and the salsa bar was the best I've seen in Western North Carolina! The street the restaurant is on in downtown Spruce Pine is very quaint, and the bridge we walked across to get to the park was completely wiped out. Will try to share before and after pictures. That night, we spent hours talking and catching up after a year away from each other, and the community we found with each other really gave me so much life.

I hope we can all come together and support this community who needs so much help. My heart has been breaking watching the utter destruction of a place in the world I used to call home. These mountains are special, and the people who live in them are special.

These workers at the restaurant are some of the most vulnerable in the community as they may not qualify for federal government aid, and so if we can pull together and help them, it would mean so much to us and them. Please, if you can spare $100 or even $5 - what you would've spent on a taco, please do!

Funds will be spent: to help workers find new housing & pay for rent, to pay for their food, to purchase new cars, to pay for gas, electric, utilities, phone bills and to replace any clothing that they lost.

En español:

El restaurante se abrió hace 17 años y el manager está ahí desde que el restaurante se abrió y ahorita se quedó sin trabajo él y 9 trabajadores más. 4 cocineros se quedaron sin casa, sin trabajo y sin carro porque el huracán se los quitó. Ha sido muy duro para ellos estar así; ya va un mes y una semana y no tienen ayuda para eso. La aseguranza no va a cubrir nada porque fue causa de una inundación. Es muy triste y duro ver que fue mi primer trabajo en donde aprendí mucho y conocí a personas amables y que aprecio mucho. Si por favor haces la fundación y espero que la gente done para ayudar, eso se los agradeceré de corazón.

GoFundMe told me to explain who I am: my name is Heart and I used to live in Asheville where I met Gadiel in 2021 or 2022 and we became good friends. I moved away but he still lives in Spruce Pine and we are helping raise funds for his friends who he used to work with at El Ranchero Restaurant. I met them when I went to visit in May 2024.