The Himalaya Family Health Care Project is one organization seeking donations in the wake of Saturday's earthquake in Nepal.
Devi States, owner of Jefferson City's Everest Cafe & Bar, founded the organization, which has been helping improve basic health services in Nepal since 2009.
It dispatched one of its board members, Dr. Sunil Sherchan, to Nepal on Sunday to spearhead support efforts.
States told the News Tribune he left the country three decades ago, but still has close ties. Having been homeless in Nepal himself, he's been anxiously awaiting information on the well-being of family there.
So far, he has only heard from one niece, who is alive but homeless and living in a tent since Saturday.
"I'm pretty devastated," he said. "I've been crying to my wife."
He splits his time between his restaurants in Jefferson City and St. Louis. He was taking breaks from work on Monday to take calls from friends and watch the latest on CNN.
The organization is online at himalayanfamilyhealthcare.org or through the local restaurant's website at everestcafeandbar.com.
Donations can also be sent via mail: Himalaya Family Health Care Project, 4145 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO, 631110.
For more information, contact Doug Clements, [email protected].