Groceries for Refugees in Fresno

As the New York Times has recently reported, a small but growing community of refugees from Syria has begun to form in Fresno, California, where I (Nathan) grew up.  As the article describes, these men, women, and children tend to relocate to Fresno where rent is less expensive than other California cities, but, despite great efforts from different local communities of faith, the area lacks many of the resources to help ease their transition and get settled. 

One area grocer,  Nabih Dagher, owner of Dunia Mediterranean Market (4567 N Cedar) has helped refugees by offering free groceries and allowing them to purchase food on credit. As the NYT article reports,“'I give each family $20, $50 groceries free,'” said Mr. Dagher, a Syrian Christian who has been in the United States for 15 years. “'After that, I said you have to pay.'”

We have spoken with Nabih to learn what outstanding bills he has on the books for refugee families at his store, and here is what he reported as of 7/20, with each amount representing a separate family's total bill:
 
$43.14
$48.00
$58.34
$93.00
$116.33
$140.00
$150.68
$153.46
$175.05
$182.97
$203.94
$230.47
$247.85
$261.63
$264.84
$278.00
$300.00

What struck us is that, while for some of us, these totals might seem manageable, for these new families in Fresno who owe them, they are now insurmountable.  We live on the opposite side of the country now, but still feel strongly connected to Fresno, and want to help out people we think of as new neighbors.  We hope you might consider donating what you can to offset this small subset of their costs.  


 Girl at Apartment on East San Ramon, Fresno (NYT)

Nabih Dagher in Dunia Mediterranean Market (NYT)

Update:
Go Fund Me asked us to clarify the following:
1. Who you are and where you’re from: Nathan Hensley (originally from Fresno) & Anne O'Neil-Henry: live in Silver Spring, MD.
2. Your relationship with the parties for whom you are raising funds and your method of contact with them: Subject of NYT article about refugees whom we spoke to on the phone, confirming details in the article, and confirming as well his credit arrangement with these families.
3. How the funds will be spent:  all funds will be transferred direclty to Nabih Dagher of Dunia Mediterranean Market, Fresno, CA, to offset grocery credit lines detailed above.
4. Your specific plan for how the funds will be withdrawn from and sent to the beneficiary of the campaign: we will withdraw the funds (hopefully once our goal of $2,925 is met) and send a check to Nabih Dagher (4567 N Cedar, Fresno, CA).