Team Mend the Bend

By: JoJo Giuliano

Recently in October, we had the opportunity to be a part of a collaborative effort to cater dinner at no cost to the residents affected by the devastating RPV landslide. These residents have lost basic utilities such as power and gas and have had to invest in some very expensive alternative sources to continue living in their homes that many of which are still paying a mortgage on. Although we can’t fix what is happening to our neighbors, we can help bring a smile to their faces by offering a comforting meal.

Each week in October, around 250 affected residents shared a meal from a different restaurant, took the night off of cooking and came together as a community to share their stories, tips and socialize with neighbors that they have not yet had the opportunity to meet. The feedback has been incredible, and we have loved seeing the community support each other and enjoy themselves. We just received the exciting news that a generous private donor will be making it possible to extend this program through November with more restaurants, including our other restaurant, Piccini Italian Takeout! Great things happen when our community joins together to support one another.

We would like to give a special thanks to Community’s Child, one of our favorite local non profits, for sponsoring at cost meals from the following restaurants in October. Another big thank you to Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary for their volunteers for help serving the meals and supplying beverages at each event.

Thank you to the participating restaurants:

Baran’s 2239 The Depot Gaetano’s Restaurant Mickey’s Deli Shore Grille

Here is a recap that the City of RPV just put together describing the event.