As rain continues to drench New Orleans, Houston and the Texas coast are reeling from the devastation waged by Hurricane Harvey. Today (August 29) marks the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, but some local chefs and purveyors are spending the day lending a helping hand to Houston area hospitality workers through a gift card drive.

The hospitality community announced earlier this week that several New Orleans restaurants will be accepting gift cards during normal operating hours today to be given to families of restaurant and service industry workers in the Houston area to assist in their recovery. Gift cards are encouraged from Visa or American Express or from specialty stores such as Target, Wal Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, Bed Bath and Beyond, Rite Aid and/or CVS.

In a statement, owner of Pizza Nola Will Samuels said “As we watch the footage of the catastrophic flooding in Houston, we know too well the sense of hopelessness and despair that so many in the area are feeling. What better way to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina than to help provide support to so many who are now affected by the area’s devastation.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Chef Amy Cyrex-Sins, owner of Langlois. “There are more than 10,000 restaurants in the Houston area and this is our chance to return the hospitality after Hurricane Katrina.”

All gift cards will be donated this weekend to Houston area restaurant groups in conjunction with individual chefs and restaurant owners to be given directly to needy families.

Gift cards will be accepted on Tuesday, August 29, during normal operating hours at the following locations:

Lakeview:

Pizza Nola, 141 W Harrison, 70124, (504) 872-0731, 11am-9pm

Uptown:

Cavan, 3607 Magazine St, 70115 (504) 509-7655, 4pm-10pm
Taceaux Loceaux (at the Kingpin on Tuesday nights), 1307 Lyons, 70115
St James Cheese Company- 5004 Prytania St, 70115, (504) 899-4737, 11a-6p
La Thai, 4938 Prytania St, 70115, (504) 899-8886, 5pm-10pm
Poke Loa, 3341 Magazine St, 70115, (504) 309-9993; 11am-9pm

French Quarter:

Sylvain, 625 Chartres St, 70130 (504) 265-8123, 5:30pm-11pm
Meauxbar, 942 N Rampart St, 70116, (504) 569-9979, 5pm-10pm
Palace Café, 605 Canal St, 70130, (504) 523-1661, 8am-10pm   ATTENTION Barbara Krieger
Arnaud’s and French 75 Bar, 813 Bienville St, 70112, (504) 523-5433, 6pm-10pm

Lower Garden District:

Barrel Proof, 1201 Magazine St, 70130, (504) 299-1888, 4pm-12am

Downtown:

Southern Food and Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha Castle Hailey Blvd, 70113, (504) 569-0405

Warehouse District:

St James Cheese Company- 641 Tchoupitoulas, 70130, (504) 304-1485, 11a-6p

Harahan:

Cottage Catering, 1536 River Oaks Rd W, 70123, (504) 343-5706, 7am-5pm

West Bank:

Banana Blossom, 2112 Belle Chasse Hwy #10, Gretna, 70053, (504) 392-7530, 11am-2:30p, 5-9:30pm
Seersucker Catering, 938 Hancock St, Gretna, 70053, (504) 702-8040, 8am-5pm
Café Hope at Timberlane, 1101 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, 70072 (504) 756-4673, 11am-2pm
Amore Bakery & Café, 307 Huey P Long Ave, Gretna, 70053, (504) 322-2122, 7am-6pm

Additional drop-off locations will be announced on social media and on the group’s Facebook page.