Local volunteers and members of Montreal's Venezuelan community gathered at the Arepera du Plateau restaurant on June 27, 2026 to sort and pack donated items destined for relief efforts in Venezuela after severe back‑to‑back earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday.
The Arepera du Plateau, located in the Plateau Mont‑Royal borough, was temporarily taken over by the volunteers who organized the space for the collection and preparation of supplies. Working together, they arranged donated goods into packages that can be shipped to the affected regions, aiming to address the urgent humanitarian needs created by the seismic events.
The initiative was sparked by the Venezuelan diaspora in Montreal, which mobilized quickly after news of the quakes spread. By converting a familiar local eatery into a makeshift distribution centre, the volunteers created a central point for the community to contribute resources and support the relief mission.
Organisers emphasized that the effort reflects the close ties between the Montreal Venezuelan community and their homeland. The packed supplies are expected to be forwarded to agencies handling the emergency response in Venezuela, where the earthquakes have caused widespread damage and heightened demand for assistance.