A fire significantly damaged the kitchen of Zamora's Carnitas. Photo by Ben Hensley.

Local nonprofit organization in Tower District Neighborhood Thrift, has partnered with the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (FAHF) to support the recovery of Zamora’s Carnitas, a local restaurant who suffered from a fire late last month.

The fire on Nov. 29 not only forced the business to temporarily close due to extensive damage in the kitchen and several other sections of the restaurant, but also left the staff at Zamora’s Carnitas without income approaching the holiday season.

Donations from Neighborhood Industries, FAHF and a recently-launched Gofundme page have aimed to ease some of the stresses to employees and owners Humberto and Gaby Gomez brought on by the fire.

“My heart is for our staff, the people who really make Zamora’s a special place,” Gaby said. “Seeing the business recover is a process and is important, but our staff making it through the holidays is really our biggest concern.”

She said following the fire, multiple people reached out offering support and contributed to the fire recovery.

“That’s when Neighborhood Industries and FAHF reached out to meet with us and discuss our plans,” she said.

Both Neighborhood Industries and FAHF have pledged $20,000 donations toward the fire recovery; specifically, Neighborhood Industries’ donation goes to support the restaurant, with the foundation’s donation coming in the form of a grant to purchase a food truck. 

“Small businesses are the engine in our local economy, and the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation’s mission is to be at the forefront when businesses need assistance,” said FAHF CEO Dora Westerland. “Zamora’s Restaurant owners and staff are going through some difficult and challenging moments. Therefore the objective of the funding is to retain the jobs and continue supporting the local economy.”

Neighborhood Industries themselves suffered a devastating fire in June 2021, destroying an entire warehouse full of inventory.

“When we lost our recycling warehouse in a fire in June 2021, we were flooded with support and generosity from the community,” said Neighborhood Industries CEO Anthony Armour. “When I heard that Zamora’s had experienced a similar event, I immediately knew that we needed to extend that same support and generosity that we had received to them.”

In addition to monetary support, on Dec. 19 at 4 p.m., Neighborhood Industries and FAHF will host a Posada gathering at FAHF for the staff of Zamora’s. There will be food, Christmas gifts for children and an opportunity for celebration despite the recent tragedy. Las Posadas is a tradition across Latin America celebrating the Nativity.

“I knew that people enjoyed the food at our restaurant, but I didn’t realize that people cared about us and our staff this much,” Gaby said. “From the $5 donations on our Gofundme, to the resources that Neighborhood Industries and FAHF are providing, and everything in between, we are beyond humbled and blessed.”

Beyond the financial support and staff event, both Neighborhood Industries and FAHF are encouraging the community to match their $40,000 donation by contributing to the Gofundme to raise money to reopen.

As of Friday, more than $6,500 had been raised through the crowdfunding campaign.