Arepas por Venezuela 🇻🇪

Arekin exists because of arepas — because of Venezuela. After the June 24 earthquakes, thousands of families are still without homes, and the need hasn't stopped.

What happened?

On June 24, Venezuela suffered one of the worst natural disasters in its last 100 years: two major earthquakes (magnitude 7.2 and 7.5), just 39 seconds apart, devastated much of the north of the country. More than 3,000 lives lost (reported), tens of thousands still missing, and over 59,000 buildings damaged or destroyed. People who lost everything in a matter of seconds — including the people they love.

This hit a country already worn down by years of crisis — no seismic culture, under-equipped hospitals, not enough emergency teams for a tragedy of this size. That's why community relief matters so much: the help is coming from us.

What we're doing

Through July 31, $2 from every Arekin pack goes directly to earthquake relief — including every order already placed this month. If you ordered in July, you already helped. At the end of the month, we'll share the donation receipt right here and on Instagram. Cada arepa cuenta.

Shop Arepas

Want to give directly?

• Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) — Doral-based nonprofit delivering supplies to Venezuela, partnered with the U.S. State Department. → globalempowermentmission.org
• Emergency Relief GoFundMe — organized with @welove_foundation, distributed on the ground through Caritas Venezuela. → GoFundMe link — TODO

More ways to give

• Sun.Risas — the foundation behind Miami's Hospitality Friends initiative, getting contributions to those who need them most. → Donate via Sun.Risas
• Mandoka's digital cookbook — donate as little as $1 and get chef Mandoka's intuitive-cooking guide; 100% goes to children who lost their homes, through Save the Children. → @mandoka__ on Instagram
• Help for Venezuela Foundation — $30 buys a mattress for someone who lost their home. Every dollar is a place to sleep. → Donate on GoFundMe

Want to send supplies?

Easiest way: GEM's Amazon wishlist ships straight to their warehouse.

Amazon Wishlist — TODO: registry link

Drop off in person:

• GEM Warehouse — 1850 NW 84th Ave, Suite 100, Doral, FL 33126. Mon–Fri, 10:00am–4:30pm.
• Caracas Bakery (MiMo) — Wednesdays 8am–5pm, Saturdays 8am–3pm. Great option if you can't make it to Doral during the week.

What they need right now (Fase 1): Toothpaste & toothbrushes (regular size) · Deodorant (regular size) · Shampoo & conditioner (700ml) · Wipes · Canned protein, sausage, vegetables — pull-tab cans only

How to donate like a pro:

• Buy ONE item in bulk — it makes sorting way faster
• Label your bag by category: Baby / Hygiene / Canned Food / Camping / First Aid
• ❌ Nothing used or opened
• ❌ No clothing, glass, liquid milk, or juice pouches
• ❌ No water right now — they're not accepting it

Want to give your time?

• GEM — sorting & packing at the Doral warehouse, every day 9am–5pm (shifts 9–12 and 1–4). Register at globalempowermentmission.org — and if it shows full, go anyway and register on-site. Wear closed-toe shoes (no Crocs or backless shoes), bring a refillable water bottle, and carpool if you can — parking is limited. Enter through the Suite 100 glass door, not the warehouse.
• VAMA (Venezuelan American Medical Association) — Venezuelan doctors collecting and shipping medical supplies. → vamainfo.com

This isn't a one-week thing — esto va pa' largo. Recovery will take months, and there's still so much room to help. And if you can't give anything material right now, don't underestimate the power of a prayer. Sometimes it's the greatest gift someone can receive. Save this page. Come back to it. Share it.

GRACIAS — todo suma ✨🕊️