New York Nepalis to Organize Fair in Jackson Heights to Raise Flood Relief Funds
The parking area at Gorkhali Nepali Restaurant, 77-04 Roosevelt Ave. in Jackson Heights, Queens, will be the site of a community fair Sept. 5-6 to raise funds for flood relief efforts in Nepal.
Nepali businesses and community members in Queens are hosting a two-day weekend fair to raise money for relief efforts following devastating flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border.
The fair runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking area of Gorkhali Nepali Restaurant, located at 77-04 Roosevelt Ave. in Jackson Heights.
Many Queens residents in the Nepali community have direct ties to the affected areas, according to organizers. Participating local businesses include regional restaurants, skincare shops, bakeries, and clothing brands.
Participating vendors include NY Nepali Kaam Post, Smuskan Gift & Skincare, Titaura Gaud-1 Jewelries, Affluent Clo., MIHSA, Nimo’s Kitchen, Amir Cakes and Pastries, Nepali Bodi, The Era, Light Inside the Box, Asan Bazaar, R&J, Kesang the Nail Artist, Lumbini Super Store and Gorkhali Authentic Nepali Cuisine.
“All proceeds from the event will go toward Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund,” organizer Lelin Kandel said. “If a vendor donates all of its sales to the fund, the stall is free. Otherwise, stalls cost $250 for one day or $400 for both days.”
The local event comes as search, rescue, and recovery operations continue following severe flooding along the Rasuwa Bhote Koshi river system in Nepal.
According to a Sept. 4 update from the Nepal Police, 1,335 bodies have been recovered so far, with more than 1,000 interred and details on unidentified victims posted to the Nepal Police website to aid family identification. DNA samples have been taken from over 1,200 victims and 800 relatives to assist in the process. Authorities report more than 5,000 people remain missing, including both Nepali citizens and foreign nationals.