Jackson Heights Restaurant to Donate Part of Momo Crawl Proceeds to Nepal Flood Relief
The exterior of Namaste Tasi Delek on 74th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, offers a welcoming entry into a restaurant known for its Himalayan flavors and cultural ambiance.
NEW YORK — A Jackson Heights restaurant plans to donate a portion of its sales during Sunday’s Great Momo Crawl NYC to flood-relief efforts in Nepal.
Namaste Tasi Delek Restaurant & Bar said it will contribute 10 percent of the proceeds from every momo sold during the event to the Government of Nepal to support relief and recovery after recent flooding, according to a promotional announcement from the business.
Mohan Baruwal, an owner of Namaste Tasi Delek Restaurant & Bar, said the restaurant wanted to use the community food festival to support people affected by flooding in Nepal.
“We want people to enjoy momo while standing with families in Nepal who are trying to recover from the floods,” Mr. Baruwal said. “Even a small contribution can help communities during a difficult time.”
The 14th annual Great Momo Crawl NYC, a one-day food and cultural festival, is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Diversity Plaza and along 37th Road between 73rd and 74th Streets in Jackson Heights, Queens. More than 30 Tibetan, Nepali and South Asian restaurants and vendors are expected to participate, along with live music, dance and other cultural performances.
Festivalgoers can purchase a $15 Momo Crawl passport, which provides access to participating vendors and a ballot for the event’s Momo Championship Belt competition. Participating vendors will sell individual momos for $1, and attendees may vote for their favorite vendor until 4:30 p.m.
Namaste Tasi Delek, at 37-66 74th St., serves Tibetan and Nepali cuisine and lists momos among its signature offerings.
The restaurant’s donation campaign adds a charitable component to the annual crawl, which has become a major celebration of Himalayan food and culture in Jackson Heights. A promotional poster describes the effort as “Eat Momo, Support a Good Cause” and says the donation is intended to assist communities affected by flooding in Nepal.
This initiative comes as Nepal continues search, rescue and relief operations following the catastrophic flooding that began Aug. 26, particularly in communities along the Bhote Koshi River and in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan, Tanahun and Nawalparasi.
As of Sept. 11, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that 1,385 bodies had been recovered and 5,130 people remained missing. Rescue teams had evacuated 13,676 people, while 37 temporary shelters were housing displaced residents.
The flooding damaged homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other essential infrastructure as authorities continued efforts to locate missing people, provide medical care and assist displaced families.