O.C. restaurant to hold weeklong fundraiser for COVID-19 relief in India

Chefs at the Indian restaurant ADYA and partners Shachi Mehra and Sandeep Basrur are donating all sales from May 10 through 16 to the American India Foundation.

India, the second most populous nation, is facing one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world. Overcrowded health facilities are turning away sickened patients, some government-run hospitals are reporting oxygen shortages, and furnaces in some crematories have begun to melt due to high use.

“There’s a feeling of helplessness when we receive updates from our families in India and see the devastation throughout India from news reports and social media,” said Mehra in a statement. “There’s no denying that the past year was rough for ADYA, but nothing comes close to the devastation happening in India right now.”

Last year, the American India Foundation reached more than 500,000 people with protective gear and nearly 900,000 individuals with prepared meals and ration kits. Now, it is focusing on sending medical oxygen to India as well as working with the government and hospitals to understand the needs of those living in cities to rural villages.

The chefs are also encouraging members of the public who aren’t able to purchase meals to spread awareness about the restaurant’s fundraising efforts or the foundation’s donation page.

ADYA is open for dine-in or carryout meals. The menu, which varies per locations in Anaheim and Irvine, includes Indian street foods, tandoori specialties, curries, imported alcoholic beverages and masala chai.

If you go

What: ADYA India relief effort
Where: 4213 Campus Drive, Irvine and 440 S. Anaheim Blvd. #201, Anaheim
When: May 10 through 16
Cost: Dishes vary from $1.99 to $14.99
Info: adyaoc.com

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.