SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio business owner is encouraging the community to step up and help people dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which is now a tropical depression.
Pieter Sypesteyn is the owner of Nola Brunch and Beignets in San Antonio. He was born and raised in New Orleans, which means he knows all too well the impact hurricanes can have.
“Growing up, you know to hunker down,” Sypesteyn said. “As a kid, I would go out and play in the floodwaters and run an inflatable boat up and down the streets. We would just goof off when it wasn’t a big deal. Sometimes, it can be as simple as riding it out the New Orleans way, enjoying drinks with some friends while watching the storm go by. But then, you see the other spectrum, like with Katrina. It is always that feat that that will happen again.”
Sypesteyn was in college in California when his family had to evacuate in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina.
“My sister and dad were there, and I remember as clear as day, it was a real scary moment for us,” he said. “They evacuated, but I didn’t even know because the communication was down. I didn’t hear from them until a few days after the storm, so it was impossible to know what happened.”
Sypesteyn said not knowing about his family was what scared him the most.
“Not knowing if they are OK. Not knowing what is going on with the rest of the city and then to only hear the bad reports on how crazy and serious everything was. I couldn’t focus at work,” Sypesteyn said. “I had to take a break. I spent an hour or two just out there praying, just kind of crying and worrying about my family and hoping everything was alright. Because it is hard not being able to do anything.”
Sypesteyn’s family survived that storm. His sister currently lives in New Orleans today with her family, and despite power being knocked out in the entire city, he has been able to communicate with her.
“They are doing fine,” Sypesteyn said. “They evacuated about an hour and a half north of New Orleans, so they are just waiting to see when they can get back to see what damage is left behind.”
A few years ago, during another devastating hurricane, Sypesteyn decided to use his cooking skills to serve others.
“I have been blessed with a gift of cooking,” he said. “I love food and have a talent for it. I am happy to be able to use that gift that God gave me to serve other people and help people out in their time of need.”
He started volunteering his efforts with the nonprofit Mercy Chefs, which has a mission to feed the body and soul of people in disaster areas.
“We were able to cook good meals for people who have lost everything and who are in a state of disbelief and don’t know how to process what they are going through,” Sypesteyn said. “We get out there and cook thousands of meals every day. We pray for people and give them hugs and lay hands on people that need it.”
He is currently developing ways to continue helping the organization as volunteers are set to arrive in New Orleans on Tuesday to start feeding thousands.
Sypesteyn had these encouraging words for those dealing with the aftermath of the storm and those looking at the situation from the outside.
“There is power in prayer,” he said. “Pray for the people that need help. Pray for the help that is coming and know that help is on the way.”
Sypesteyn’s company has its own nonprofit called Third Coast Charities, which assists people in San Antonio. If you would like to get more information about Ida relief efforts, you can email susan@thirdcoastcharities.org.
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