These Local Businesses Are Giving Back After The Floods

Yesterday, I asked if you knew of local businesses helping support the community after the floods. A bunch of names came back and, good news – there’s a very strong food-theme.

So if you’re looking for a (delicious) way to support, and something to do over the weekend, I have a few options for you…

Restaurants

A bunch of restaurants in town are donating either all their profits or all their sales (!) on specific days over the weekend…

All Weekend: Good Vibrations - the pizza trailer at Vacancy Brewing – and all the Poke Poke locations are donating 100% of proceeds to flood relief.

Today, Lazarus Brewing is donating all proceeds from the launch of their new dark Mexican lager.

Saturday, July 12, Juiceland is donating proceeds from all locations, and Junebugs BBQ at The Albert Hotel out in Frederickberg, is hosting an event with live music, free margs, and… custom embroidery? All proceeds go to flood relief.

Sunday, July 13 things get really crazy, with every restaurant in the Guy + Larry family donating 100% of sales for the day. That means Bulevar ATX, Red Ash Italia, ATX Cocina, J. Carver’s, The Kimberly, Roaring Fork, Salty Sow, and Waylon J’s. Every penny you spend there Sunday goes to relief orgs in central Texas.

Another Option Foodies Will Love

A few months ago, I told you about Don Smolik, local founder of Study The Blade. He’s a private chef, and does bespoke knife sharpening and custom knife creation here in Austin.

Between now and Sunday, he’s raffling off a beautiful custom Gyuto knife, and all revenue from the sale will be donated to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. It’s only $20 for a ticket. And he’s raised more than $1.5k so far.

So if you love cooking, and are looking for a knife with some character, and a story worth telling, snag your tickets here.

A Few Other Notable Callouts

Fetii is a local YC-backed startup in the rideshare space. The floods hit them hard – members of their exec team know many of the families affected – and they redirected their fleet to help transport aid and relief volunteers.

Global Empowerment Network is on the ground delivering immediate aid in the form of hygiene kits, food, water, and cash cards to help people facing unexpected costs. More than $1m in direct cash assistance has been committed for July, and $150k in small business grants.

P. Terry’s, a local institution, donated all profits yesterday, and by all accounts, it was a raging success. There are multiple reports of hours-long waits, huge lines, and record-sales with stores running out of food. Despite it all, people were patient, and pleasant. A real community moment. Word is, more than $150k will be donated to Austin Disaster Relief Network, so hat’s off to Patrick and Katherine Terry, and their team.

Honestly, this just scratches the surface of all the founders I’ve seen stepping up. It’s an honor to write about this community, and see it in action.

Thank you to Beth Young, Michale Moran, Olivia Macdonell, Don Smolik, Eavan Mages, Mario Sierra, and Sara Loretta for the inspiration and help pulling this list together on short notice.

Take care of each other, and I’ll see you when I’m back in August.

-Ethan