Houston Restaurants Are Collecting Donations for Families Detained at the Texas Border

In response to the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that’s created a crisis at the border, Benjy’s in the Village will collect donations to benefit children housed in detention centers.

The restaurant began collecting donations of diapers, deodorant, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and common children’s medications on Wednesday in recognition of World Refugee Day. The restaurant will continue to accept donations through Friday, June 22, and diners who bring these much-needed supplies will receive a $20 gift card to spend at Benjy’s.

Also helping raise funds are Greenway Coffee, Morningstar, Coral Sword, and Blacksmith, all in coordination with coffee publication Sprudge’s national Coffee For Families fundraiser. Like dozens of other shops across the country, these coffee purveyors will raise funds for the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, an organization that connects refugee families with legal aid and “community support.” Greenway, Morningstar, Coral Sword, and Blacksmith will collect funds starting on Friday, June 22 and ending on Sunday, June 24.

These donations will probably be needed for the foreseeable future. The executive order signed by President Trump, as Vox.com’s Dara Lind reported, “replaced family separation with family detention,” meaning that families will be held together in detention centers in cities like McAllen instead of separate facilities for adults and children.

It’s likely that more Houston eateries will begin collecting donations, and this post will be updated in real-time with new spots that are trying to help.

Is your restaurant raising funds for families on the border? Send the details in an email to houston@eater.com.

• The executive order Trump claims will end family separation, explained [Vox]
• Coffee For Families: A Nationwide Fundraiser For ASAP [Sprudge]