On April 25, when a devastating earthquake struck Nepal, Meghan Vigeant (whom we recently covered in a PechaKucha story) put all of her work as a personal historian on hold to concentrate on the survivors.

“I have friends over there,” she said. “I just spent four days making phone calls and emailing restaurant owners to see if we could do something. It was the only thing keeping me sane.” 

The earthquake also triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 19 and has decimated large parts of the country.

“The impact of this earthquake will be felt for decades,” she said. “The relief work won’t be done in a few months. The numbers keep climbing, but when I checked yesterday, nearly 8,400 people have been counted dead, 17,000 have been injured and millions have been displaced from their homes. Entire villages flattened. I live in Hope. Can you imagine our entire town overrun by a disaster? Nepal’s so remote, it’s so hard to comprehend.”

Vigeant was in Nepal in 2012 documenting a story about inter-caste marriage. She checked on her friends and they are all right. One of her friends is the head of a photography nonprofit in Nepal that has galvanized to help the locals.

“Her organization has been the hub for an independent group of 200-plus volunteers, who are offering highly organized relief work, bringing medical aid, supplies and food to remote villages that still haven’t been reached by the government. It’s been pretty inspiring watching them via Facebook.” To see their efforts, visit: Nepal Photo Project on Facebook.

Along with a couple of volunteers and advisors, Vigeant was able to secure 19 area restaurants to donate 10 percent of their sales for one day each from May 17 to 22 to help fund earthquake relief and rebuilding efforts in Nepal.

“I’m really pleased at how many restaurants stepped up for this,” she said.

Calling the event Eat For Nepal, a certain percent of proceeds from each restaurant will be earmarked for the Nepal Youth Foundation an organization with a 25-year history in Nepal that has launched a major relief effort to provide immediate help for those most in need as well as long-term rebuilding.

“I chose them because they have done amazing things for children, along the lines of getting them education and keeping them out of the hands of sex traffickers,” said Vigeant. “They are setting up transitional shelters, helping people who’ve just been released from the hospital and supplying them with food, clothes and other things like psychological counseling as they move into their next stage. I’m confident the dollars raised will help long-term efforts. This group will be in Nepal for a long time.”

To kick off Eat for Nepal week, Vigeant will do a a slide presentation at the Camden Public Library called "Nepal, Before and After the Earthquake," featuring her photos as well as other photographers. The slide talk will be on Sunday afternoon, May 17, at 2 p.m.

Eat for Nepal schedule and restaurant hours

SUNDAY, MAY 17

Pizza Permare, Northport (11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

MONDAY, MAY 18

Delvino’s Grill & Pasta House, Belfast (11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

3 Crow Restaurant & Bar, Rockland (5 p.m. – 11 p.m.)

Clan MacLaren, Rockland (10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

TUESDAY, MAY 19

Archer’s on the Pier, Rockland (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

Boynton McKay, Camden (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Fresh, Camden (5 – 8:30 p.m.)

Nautilus Seafood & Grill, Belfast (4pm – 9pm)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Comida, Rockland (5pm – 9 p.m.)

La Vida Mexican Restaurant, Belfast (11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

Long Grain, Camden (11:30 – 9pm)

Fog Bar & Café, Rockland (4pm – 10 p.m.)

40 Paper Italian Bistro & Bar, Camden (4 p.m.- 11 p.m.)

Whale’s Tooth Pub, Lincolnville Beach (4 p.m. -10 p.m.)

THURSDAY, MAY 21

In Good Company, Rockland (4:30 p.m. to close)

Rock City Café, Rockland (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Rustica Italian Restaurant, Rockland (5pm – 9 p.m.)

FRIDAY, MAY 22

Home Kitchen Café, Rockland (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Zoot Coffee, Camden (7 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

 Vigeant urges people who care to donate directly to earmark their donation with Midcoast Maine Loves Nepal. Find them at facebook.com/midcoastmainelovesnepal

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com