Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering hosted a fundraiser on Wednesday for people impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria as the death toll passed 40,000.
The benefit raised over $30,000, all of which went to victims and their families.
Jamil Kadoura, the owner of Med Deli, said that he was seven years old during the Arab-Israeli War and lived in a refugee camp. His inspiration for organizing the benefit comes from the “charity and good organizations” that helped him and his family in times of need.
“I was given a lot when I was a kid, when I was hungry — and it’s time to give back,” Kadoura said.
Med Deli has hosted benefit events for crisis relief in the past, with causes including hurricane victims in Haiti and flood victims in Pakistan in the summer of 2010. Another ticketed event benefitting Syrian refugees raised $26,000 in two hours, according to Kadoura.
However, Kadoura said these events would not be possible without the support of the Chapel Hill community, which he said always shows up when they are needed most.
“I’ve been here 33 years, and I couldn’t be more grateful to anybody more than this community,” he said.
At past fundraising events, there have been more people than the restaurant could handle, so staff decided to offer a limited menu at this event.
Liz Coughlin, Med Deli's catering director, said that the menu included items such as Moroccan chicken, jerk chicken, lamb and beef gyro, a four-item sampler, Greek salad and limited sides. The event was planned entirely last week.
