INDIANAPOLIS — A local restaurant is stepping in to help after a large fire destroyed the Helping Veterans and Family building, and its surrounding apartments, Saturday night in downtown Indianapolis.
According the Indianapolis Fire Department, the fire was initially reported as a building alarm around 9:35 p.m. Oct. 26. The HVAF building is located on the 900 block of North Pennsylvania Street, near 10th Street.
A total of 51 military veterans were left displaced as a result of the fire. The HVAF said the veterans have been temporarily relocated to local hotel rooms.
Hoagies & Hops will be hosting a fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 2, called "Dine to Donate," to raise money for the HVAF.
"My heart is saddened this morning as I wake up to hear about a fire at the Helping Veterans and Families center," said owner Kristina Mazza in a post in Instagram. "As most of you all know, I have worked with HVAF for several years by raising funds & awareness of their mission."
Event officials said 15% of all the food sales will be donated, and there will also be a collection box. There will be more information announced later on what items the HVAF will need.
Hoagies & Hops is located at 4155 Boulevard Place in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood.
Mazza is from Pennsylvania and opened Hoagies & Hops in 2015. Most of their ingredients are sourced from South Jersey, Philadelphia or Pennsylvania Dutch regions.
For more information about the fundraiser, or to look at the menu, click here. You can also donate on the HVAF's website by clicking here.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by IFD and ATF.
