Donate to Support Palisades Garden Cafe Staff

For over 40 years, the Palisades Garden Cafe was more than just a cafe — it was a cherished hangout for the Pacific Palisades community. It served as an after-school spot for kids, a quick break for those who worked in the area, and a little corner where everyday moments shared over coffee brought the neighborhood to life.

The cafe’s dedicated staff were the heart of this beloved institution. Many worked there for over a decade, and some for more than 20 years. They knew the names of countless families, celebrated milestones with the community, and watched children grow up and return with their own families.

The recent fire has left the staff without work for the foreseeable future. With rebuilding plans still uncertain, they need support to cover basic living expenses. This GoFundMe aims to provide the relief they need, with every dollar raised going directly to the 23 Palisades Garden Cafe employees.

The fire has deeply affected the entire community, and our hearts are with everyone who has experienced loss. If you’re able, please consider contributing to help the cafe staff who’ve given so much to this special place and its people.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.

With sincere gratitude,

Friends of the Palisades Garden Cafe

This campaign was created by Jane Park (a close friend of the cafe owners) and Christine Lim (Village School family and long-time supporter of the cafe). Our hearts are heavy for them, and we hope this fundraiser will provide relief for the cafe’s employees.

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Lita Rodriguez, the store manager, will oversee the withdrawal of funds into her personal bank account and will be responsible for managing and distributing the funds to the employees.

The funds will be distributed as money, not supplies. Lita will distribute the funds evenly among the 23 employees through either cash payments or bank transfers, depending on each employee's preference. Each employee will receive an equal share of the total amount raised.

The fundraiser will be open for one month. Once the campaign ends, Lita will begin distributing the funds to employees as soon as the money is released by GoFundMe and transferred to her account. The distribution process should be completed within a week after receiving the funds.

These funds will help the employees cover basic living expenses such as food and rent during this difficult time.