Earlier this weekend, the Castro faced its biggest residential fire in decades. Starting at the back of the buildings above the beloved QBar and Osaka restaurant, the fire gutted several apartments before dawn Saturday morning. Seven residents have lost their homes. Neighboring homes and stores are damaged. At least one person is facing immediate health challenges and all have been through a severely traumatic event. Folks' treasured possessions and furnishings have been destroyed. Even those things that escaped burning may be filled with toxic smoke residue and need to be replaced. The neighbors are looking at severe water damage and related issues such as mold. QBar and Osaka will be closed for the time being, and their employees are out of work as well. San Francisco's housing crisis and astronomical rents only pile on the challenges for these individuals who have already faced a tragic loss.
Our community needs our help at this time. While the City is doing what it can, public resources are limited and likely come with more rules and regulations than private funds. Please dig a little deeper and help make sure these folks have a buffer to help them through this holiday season.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A note about how the funds will be handled: This fundraiser is organized by folks from the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District Working Group via our temporary non-profit fiscal sponsor, the SF Bay Area Leather Alliance. Donations may be tax-deductible and acknowledgements can be provided on request. We plan to prioritize displaced residents and neighbors, then employees of the affected businesses. All funds will be handled in accord with the policies and oversight of the Leather Alliance.
