Hi, I’m Melissa Pacheco—a Harlem-born ASL interpreter and the owner of Boriken Bites.

On Friday, December 19th, 2025, my Bronx apartment caught fire. The fire started beneath my stove and spread under the floor and into the walls. I made it out safely—but my home and nearly everything inside were destroyed.

This loss hit both my personal life and my livelihood. I lost:

Most of my furniture, clothing, and household essentials
My kitchen setup and equipment
Food inventory and supplies meant to support Boriken Bites for about 5–6 months
Income from events and orders I can no longer fulfill right now

I’m rebuilding with the help of loved ones and doing my best to move forward. If you’re able to help, your donation will go directly toward:

Emergency housing & moving costs (deposit, first month, transportation)
Basic household essentials (bed, linens, toiletries, cleaning supplies)
Replacing kitchen equipment & business inventory so I can return to work
Stabilizing my life and income while I rebuild

Ways to support

✅ Donate using the button on this page (secure Stripe donation)
✅ Share this page with friends, coworkers, and community groups
✅ Offer practical support (temporary housing leads, furniture, household items)

If you’re reaching out with donation items or resources, please contact:
borikenbitesnyc@gmail.com

Thank you for helping me stand back up. Truly.

-Melissa (Memi)

116th Street Festival