If you want to help those in Beirut, Lebanon, local business leaders want you to shop local and give global.
Soon after the massive explosion at Beirut's main port, a group of Windsor-Essex business leaders got together to form a plan to help survivors.
They formed the ad hoc group Windsor-Essex Helping Lebanon, and they are raising funds for the Humanitarian Coalition, the Lebanese-Canadian Coalition, and the Canadian and Lebanese Red Cross.
"Despite the challenges that small businesses and restaurants have faced during the pandemic, it hasn't stopped them from wanting to help," said President and Founder of Build a Dream Nour Hachem-Fawaz.
About 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate ignited the blast on August 4, killing more than 200 people, injuring thousands more, and displacing as many as 300,000 people.
Lebanon's prime minister has resigned amid protests calling for his resignation.
The port handled 60 per cent of the country's imports, and hospitals have been overwhelmed with wounded.
On Wednesday, residents can make a purchase at any participating business that is donating proceeds to Lebanese aid efforts.
The list is posted on the group's Facebook page. It includes restaurants, boutiques, hair salons, barbershops, and others.
Windsor West MP Brian Masse is expected to be the first customer at Mazaar's in downtown Windsor at 11:30 a.m., according to Imad Najjar, the co-owner of the restaurant.
Property Counsis donated $1,500 to the cause and Pure Merchandise has contributed $1,000.
The group hopes to raise $2.5 million to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the federal government.
