Nepali-born Resham Gurung and her husband Lok Malla, the co-owners of Nepal Two LLC and the Kathmandu Restaurant in Nederland, have had more than their fair share of concerns this month. Just as the couple was putting the finishing touches on their newest eatery, the Kathmandu Restaurant II in Boulder, devastating earthquakes hit Nepal, demolishing the homes of their extended families. Gurung’s sister was injured in the quake and their loved ones are currently homeless and surviving only on basic supplies and fearing the upcoming monsoon season without adequate shelter.

The couple immediately began fundraising to send food, sleeping bags, tents, and more not just to benefit their own families but also to supply as many people as possible in the Ghormu region of Nepal, located near the epicenter of the quake. Helping those in need is second nature to Gurung, who emigrated from Nepal when she was 18 years old. She has since been instrumental in bringing more than 30 extended family members to the United States, and helping them obtain work permits, green cards, and start thriving businesses of their own. The family now owns a total of six restaurants, including Himalaya House in Lakewood, Ubon Thai in Nederland, as well as Cuisine of the Himalayas and Beau Thai in Evergreen. Together with their generous patrons, the family has raised $10,000 in emergency aid, with a goal to send at least $40,000 more through the nonprofit organization Mountain Forum for Peace.

Gurung and Malla hope Kathmandu’s new location, which replaces the shuttered Golden Lotus on the busy corner of 28th and Pearl streets, will eventually be successful enough to cover the mortgage as well as provide reserves for additional relief funds. The Boulder menu will mirror their popular Nepali, Indian, and Tibetan menu—which is based on Gurung’s mother’s heirloom recipes—in Nederland.

Tip: To help with the Nepali relief efforts, check out the go fund site here, or contribute directly at each of the family’s restaurants.

Kathmandu Restaurant, 110 N. Jefferson St., Nederland, 303-258-1169 and Kathmandu Restaurant II, 1964 28th St., Boulder