Yanni’s Bistro Hosts Fundraiser to Help Victims of Hurricane Sandy

When natural disaster strikes, people have come to rely on the National Guard or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help. Even the activist relief movement Occupy Sandy has made headlines in recent weeks.

Now Poway can add its very own Yanni's Bistro to the list.

On Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Nov. 20, Yanni’s Bistro is hosting a fundraiser to offer relief to “our fellow Americans on the East Coast.” Owner Yannis Pihas says he will give 20 percent of the revenue earned to the Red Cross.

“This is something that I was brought up to do by my parents, and I think it’s the only right thing to do,” said Pihas, who has fundraised in the past for Rady Children's Hospital and the victims of the San Diego County wildfires and Hurricane Katrina.

In the past, such as when the wildfires hit, Pihas says he would donate all of what the restaurant brought in, but the economic times have since changed.

“Unfortunately, the economy nowadays doesn’t allow me to do that,” Pihas said. “This is what I can afford to do this year.”

Pihas says he has friends on the East Coast, and has yet to hear from them. While he originally planned on organizing some kind of relief effort with them, he didn’t want to lose precious time.

“The Red Cross is a great organization, and it’s something I can do now,” Pihas said. “My hope would be to raise at least $1,500.”

Yanni’s Bistro is located at 12205 Scripps Poway Pkwy., and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 858-527-0011.