THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — A Bronx restaurant known for its comfort food is turning that comfort into compassion.
Inside The Original Dumpling Shop off Baychester Avenue, owner Collin Douglas stirs a pot of steaming dumplings, same as he’s done here for eight years — and across New York for nearly four decades. But today, the warmth in his kitchen isn’t just about food.
“We just making this space to make it comfortable for people to drop off stuff for the hurricane,” Douglas said.
The shop has turned into a collection point for donations after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica on Tuesday — the strongest storm to strike the island in 174 years. Streets in Kingston remain flooded, and damage has been reported across homes, schools, and hospitals.
In the back of the restaurant, boxes of bottled water, diapers, first aid kits, and cleaning supplies are stacked and ready to ship.
“We need zinc, we need canned goods, we need stuff with kids,” Douglas said. “There’s schools down there that we have to help repair. There’s hospitals down there that we have to help repair. Gotta do what we gotta do, you know.”
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The efforts are in partnership with the Jah Jah Foundation, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit whose name stands for Jamaicans Abroad Helping Jamaicans at Home. The group provides both disaster relief and mental health support for families on the ground.
“Jamaica has been spared for many hurricanes that traverse that particular region, but it’s the first time Jamaica has had a direct hit,” said Dr. Trevor Dixon, founder and CEO of the Jah Jah Foundation.
Dr. Dixon says every donation counts. “Jamaicans have contributed in every society in life, there’s not a person who exist that doesn’t know a Jamaican,” he said. “If you been to the resorts in Jamaica and had a great time, now is time to give back.”
Donations can be dropped off at The Original Dumpling Shop in the Bronx or made online through the foundation’s website here.
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