Arizonans rally in support of family after vandals smash up their Middle Eastern bakery
The line of customers queuing for Lebanese chicken and fresh baklava snaked out of the store and around the block - and others pitched in to help
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Your support makes all the difference.When a regular customer saw the Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli had been vandalised and the owner could not afford the repairs, she decided to take the matter into her own hands.
Marnee Burrus went home and wrote a post on Facebook, asking for support for Isam Saed and his business.
Hundreds of people in Phoenix, Arizona, turned up to buy food at the store. Some were regulars, some were new customers, and people from all around the state queued out of the store and into the car park.
Rick Pyle, owner of M&M Glass Company, donated new windows to "make a wrong a right".
Customers who stopped by for baklava or Lebanese chicken even offered to put on an apron and help out in the kitchen.
Karen Handleman stood at the door, advertising her new "Love Special" creation of pita, greek salad and falafel, collecting donations in a jar.
Customers and local volunteers collected more than $9,000 for the restaurant by 5 December. Mid-afternoon a crowd gathered outside the store to present the money to Mr Saed, he was shocked and emotional.
"Oh my God," he reportedly said. "I am overwhelmed. I thank you."
A GoFundMe page has now raised more than $13,000 for the business.
"I don’t think there is hate in the world now because of the support that is seen here," he added.
One of the supporters was mayor Greg Stanton, who bought a box of baked items to share around his staff.
He said he was proud of the citizens for rallying around the business.
"I want a business, a small locally owned business, to feel as welcomed in our city and community as possible," Mr Stanton told The Republic.
"I wanted to send a message that is a value of Phoenix that we support everyone in our city from all different walks of life."
Police are investigating whether the vandalism was motivated by hate and are working with the owner to fill out a report.
Genevieve Rose wrote on Facebook on Tuesday: "I went here tonight for takeout and they had to close early because they plum ran out of food. That's how much people have been supporting them."
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