Indian Dinner at Love Dog Cafe to Benefit Tsunami Victims

Along the Tamil Nadu coast of India, most of the people make their living by fishing. When the devastating tsunami barreled ashore on December 26th, it swept away not only lives but livelihoods as boats, nets, and outboard motors were destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

White Bear, owner and chef of the Love Dog Cafe in Lopez Village, will host a benefit dinner on Thursday, January 27th, in hopes of raising several thousand dollars to help the fishermen of Tamil Nadu get back to work.

The dinner is by reservation only; cost is $50 per person. Community-style seating begins at 5:00pm. All dishes on the spectacular Indian menu will be provided at each table, so diners can try everything.

White Bear is donating all the food and all her labor, and her staff is donating all their work at the event as well. Every penny raised will go toward the PRASAD Project, a non-profit that funnels most of its revenue directly to those in desperate need.

White Bear said a full restaurant will mean the Love Dog can send at least $3500 to PRASAD, which is providing aid in the form of boats, tools, and materials so the Indian fishermen can rebuild their lives.

“They don’t want handouts,” she said. “They’re proud people.” What they want, even before rebuilding their houses, is to get back to fishing.

In India, a new boat costs between $750 and $1200. Marilyn Hurst of PRASAD said, “We can do a lot more [with the money] in India than in the U.S. Probably what PRASAD does best is disaster relief; we have an enormous volunteer base.” Only about 10% of PRASAD’s revenue goes to administrative costs, and about 8% to fund raising, according to Hurst.

PRASAD is the humanitarian aid organization founded in 1992 by spiritual leader Gurumayi Chidvilasananda. It manifests core values of the Siddha Yoga mission: selfless service, enduring commitment, and respect for the dignity of all people, regardless of their race or beliefs.

Lopezian Diana Bower, whose son is a monk in the order, said, “The organization is irreproachable. I know the people: they’re so honest, dedicated and smart–they don’t waste a penny or a moment of anyone’s time.”

PRASAD is working through Direct Relief International to provide emergency aid and medical supplies to the areas hardest hit by the tsunami. It is also working in partnership with Help for the Helpless, whose personnel are on the scene helping the fishermen to acquire engine parts, boats, and nets.

The latest news from Kovalam, a beachfront fishing village where PRASAD is focusing aid efforts, is that the first boat is expected to head out on the sea and cast its new nets by February 16th.

White Bear is hoping to help facilitate the development of an ongoing “sister village” relationship between Lopez Island and Kovalam. More information will be available at the benefit dinner. For reservations, call 468-2150.

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