FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Members of Fresno’s Venezuelan community are raising money and collecting supplies to help those affected by a devastating double earthquake in Venezuela.

Andrea Ramirez has been selling Venezuelan sandwiches to neighbors and sending the proceeds to her sister-in-law to assist people impacted by the disaster.

“There are friends, family of friends and even if they’re not related to me, this is about empathy,” Ramirez said. “I’m a mom, I’m a daughter, I’m a sister, I’m a wife … and people are losing their lives. There are people who have lost everything.”

Ramirez says her family in Colombia and Caracas was thankfully not affected by the earthquakes directly, but she still feels compelled to help those who are suffering.

“Like they say, all we can do from here is help as much as we can, even if it amounts to a grain of sand,” Ramirez said.

Others in Fresno’s Venezuelan community are collecting donations they say are urgently needed by survivors.

Mary Bastos says dozens of people have already contributed supplies to support relief efforts.

“They are sleeping on the street … there are people who have not been found,” Bastos said.

The disaster has also impacted Bastos’ own family. She says two of her uncles remain missing following the earthquakes.

“It’s been horrible seeing my cousins, my nieces, my uncles saying, ‘Where are you? Where are you? Are you OK?'” Bastos said.

Despite the uncertainty, Bastos says the response from the local community has helped her persevere.

“The hope came back,” she said. “Hope in unity, hope in humanity.”

Veronica Perozo Luna says supporting one another during times of crisis is important regardless of borders.

“We have to be together because now it’s Venezuela, but it could be other countries too and we need to support each other,” Perozo Luna said.

People interested in helping can donate the following items:

• diapers
• wet naps
• bandages
• Tylenol or ibuprofen
•  nonperishable food
• feminine products

Donations can be dropped off at Bastos’ home at 4678 N Safford on Sunday, June 28.

Additional information about the donation drive can be found by contacting organizers directly at (786) 290-4559 and (559) 304-9364.