Baja Cali Fish & Tacos will open its doors to anyone in need amid the recent deadly wildfires from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Jan. 17 at 490 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena.
Owners Jaime Alvarez and Lorena Valera announced the food distribution Wednesday, when the restaurant started serving free food from its location. They hope to give out free hot meals to evacuees, first responders and anyone in the community affected by the Eaton Fire.
Alvarez, of West Covina, said the Baja Cali location on Washington Boulevard in Pasadena has not yet reopened but he is grateful that his staff from both restaurants can return to work. Both locations were closed since Tuesday, when the Eaton Fire broke out.
“It helps to be busy, but more than anything, I’m so grateful we have our staff working again, so thanks to World Central Kitchen and to everyone that’s been making things happen, the camaraderie among the helpers is wonderful,” Alvarez said. “It’s all about building community.”
The initiative got a boost from the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, which donated $10,000 to the restaurant. Baja Cali is one of 25 sites near the Eaton and Pacific Palisades Fires that the nonprofit is partnering with to distribute hot meals. Other sites include Lot 3 at Pasadena City College; St. Francis School in La Canada Flintridge; the Arco Station at 2171 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in Altadena; Pasadena Community Job Center, 500 N. Lake Ave.; Union Station Adult Services, 412 S. Raymond Ave.; Pasadena-Sierra Madre YMCA, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena; La Salle College Preparatory, 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.; and Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.
The distribution is part of a burgeoning list of resources to support victims of both Eaton and Palisades fires.
Los Angeles distribution sites include Collins & Katz Family YMCA, 1466 S. Westgate Ave., Los Angeles; Taft High School in Woodland Hills; Palisades Fire Station 69, 15045 Sunset Blvd., in Pacific Palisades; and Portola Middle School, 18720 Linnet St., in Tarzana. Check each site’s social media for distribution times or visit wck.org/news/meal-locations-ca
Baja Cali’s initiative exemplifies the true spirit of community offering not only sustenance but also hope and solidarity in a time of great need, said spokeswoman Tricia Wilson.