LA restaurateur Marissa Hermer starts a food delivery service to support families displaced by wildfires in the area
Hermer shared her experience of fleeing her home, saying she and her ex-husband had to grab what they could carry. She wore all her jewelry and packed bags, walking about a mile to safety. It was a tough situation, and she realized there was no way to prepare for such an emergency.
In response to the crisis, she launched a food delivery service called “YOU GIVE. WE COOK. THEY EAT.” Initially, she thought her restaurant, The Draycott, was lost, but later found out it was still standing. While she’s waiting to see the damage, she’s focused on helping others.
Driving her kids and dogs to a hotel, she thought about dinner and how many families in LA were facing the same dilemma. With no kitchen, it’s a real challenge. So, she opened the kitchens at her other restaurants, Chez Mia and Olivetta, to prepare meals for families, firefighters, and hospital workers.
Hermer has raised over $50,000 to provide meals for those in need. The program runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and anyone can donate by texting “DINNER” to 707070. On her Instagram, families can request meals, nominate others in need, or volunteer to deliver food.
She understands that asking for help can be tough, so she encourages people to reach out for those who need meals. The program, which helped thousands during the pandemic, relies on volunteers to deliver food.
Hermer reflects on the importance of community, saying it’s about connection and togetherness. While she’s uncertain about her own home, she’s determined to give back.
Staying at a hotel with her kids, she’s focused on hope and community support. “I am alive. I’m surviving,” she says. “The devastation is enormous, but we can band together and help each other.”
