Some local groups in Portland geared up to help the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan, the fierce storm that battered the Philippines, sweeping away countless homes and killing hundreds.

The Roman Catholic Dioceses of Portland on Wednesday said it would designate the weekend of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 for a special collection in its parishes to benefit victims of the typhoon, the dioceses said in a statement.

The larger charitable arm of the church, Catholic Relief Services, is expected to donate $20 million in goods and services.

Although nowhere near the scale of the church’s planned effort, at least one restaurant on Wednesday planned to donate a portion of its profits to relief.

Owners of the restaurant and music venue Empire Chinese Kitchen on Congress Street said it would give 20 percent of its profits from dinner and drinks purchased Wednesday night. The evening is a popular battle-of-the-bands style evening and usually draws a sizable crowd, said Theresa Chan, who co-owns the establishment.

She hopes the ad-hoc fund raiser will bring in at least $500, which she plans to give to international aid organization UNICEF.

“It was kind of a last-minute effort,” Chan said. “I was thinking, ‘What is the quickest thing I could do?’ ”

Staff Writer Matt Byrne can be reached at 791-6303 or at:

byrne@pressherald.com


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