Himalayan Restaurant hosts fundraiser

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$33,000 raised to support earthquake victims in Nepal

By JAN WILLMS

Himalayan Fundraiser CheckPHOTO: Pravin Shrestha (left), co-owner of the Himalayan Restaurant, presents a check to the Red Cross for earthquake relief in Nepal.  (Photo courtesy of the Lake Street Council)

Victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal received some financial assistance recently from the Himalayan Restaurant at 2910 E. Lake St.

Naveen and Pravin Shrestha, co-owners of the restaurant, and chef Neelima Shrestha, donated 100 percent of proceeds from lunch and dinner served May 5-7.

The result was a check for $33,085.33 that was sent to the Red Cross via the Association of Nepalis in Minnesota (ANMN) to provide relief for earthquake victims. At a ceremony celebrating the amount raised, a gigantic check was donated by Big Print.

“I was surprised to see how many people cared,” said Naveen. “We had long lines, with up to a two and a half hour wait. People were extremely generous and patient.”

He said some customers came for both lunch and dinner to help add to the donation.

“We knew we were going to be busy, but not that busy,” Naveen said.

The restaurant serves Nepali, Tibetan and Indian food. The brothers relocated from Franklin Ave. to the Lake St. site in December 2014.

Naveen said volunteers from the ANMN  helped through the hectic three days, busing dishes and serving drinks.

“They came in and saved the day,” Naveen stated, “with lots of helping hands.” Normally a staff of four to five up front and four in the back provides service.

The Shresthas did not have any relatives in Nepal directly affected by the earthquake but said friends and relatives posted on Facebook and apprised them of the difficult situation there.

“It has been a long time since an earthquake of this magnitude struck Nepal,” Naveen stated.

He said that as well as the ANMN, the restaurant received help from the Lake Street Council and the Longfellow Business Association.

“I just want to thank everybody who came in and supported this donation,” Naveen added.

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