This weekend a group of Hyattsville businesses is holding a fundraiser to benefit Lutheran Social Services and its work helping Afghan refugees in the D.C. area.

The nonprofit is leading efforts to help Afghan families resettle in the greater D.C. area and has one of its three resettlement centers on East West Highway in Hyattsville. It is working with about 2,500 refugees coming to the D.C. area as part of Operation Allies Refuge.

Sohy Co-op is hosting the Afghan Refugee Relief on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 6 p.m., at The Spot, a new community gathering pop-up space at 4505 Hamilton St. just off the Rhode Island Trolley Trail next to the Shoppes at Arts District Hyattsville. The event will feature live music, food and drinks and other vendors such as The Croque Truck, which serves variations on the classic French croque monsieur hot sandwich, and will be on site.

The fundraising event is co-sponsored by the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, Lutheran Social Services and Sangfroid Distilling, who’s co-owner, Jeff Harner, deployed with the Army to Afghanistan over a decade ago. In a note to customers, he said that he knows firsthand how “brave and hopeful” Afghans are and said it was “our duty to welcome them and ensure that their transition goes smoothly.”

The Afghan Refugee Relief event will feature a raffle with prizes such as gift certificates to Vigilante Coffee, with proceeds going towards Lutheran Social Services.

You can also donate directly to Lutheran Social Services online here.

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