A city that was once filled with hatred and anger after the loss of Alton Sterling and three officers is now filled with nothing but love and compassion. The Flood of 2016 brought devastation to Baton Rouge and surrounding areas, but that devastation brought a community together.
Many in that community have done everything they can to help one another. One of those things is Brunching for Greater Baton Rouge.
Brunching for Greater Baton Rouge is a charity brunch held by Baton Rouge Brunches. Thirty restaurants participated in the brunch on Sunday, August 28, 2016 and donated at least 15 percent of their sales from to the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund. Restaurants would also collect supplies and anything else people would like to donate.
“It’s just needing to do something. It’s needing to feel normal. When normal gets you feeling wonderful you know things are really messed up, and that’s what I think a lot of people feel. They just want to feel Sunday brunch is normal for our community, and I think that’s what helped drive us in to that,” said Founder of Baton Rouge Brunches Franz Borghardt.
Louie’s Cafe near the University was one of the participating restaurants. Employees and customers were all more than happy to be a part of the brunch.
“Everybody gets together in times like this. If you have time and if you’re not swamped by your own stuff you’re going to help your neighbor or you going to help your brother,” said Louie’s Café general manager Fred Simonson said.
The idea started with five restaurants and grew quickly. Borghardt was ecstatic to announce that they raised more than $20,000 for flood victims.
With the brunch being a success, Borghardt believes this won’t be the last.