When three popular Mexican restaurants in South Philly were victims of vehicle theft last summer, the community showed the owners much-needed support by helping to raise funds to replace the vehicles, writes Lynette Hazelton for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Now, Marcos Tlacopilco and Alma Romero, owners of Marco’s Fish Market & Crab House and Alma del Mar, and Ignacio Flores, owner of Los Taquitos de Puebla, are back on the road again.

Tlacopilco used his refrigerated truck to pick up fresh in New York and Maryland. Without it, he had to borrow an unrefrigerated van from his sister-in-law and rush the fish to the restaurant before the ice used to keep it fresh melted.

Flores was dependent on his business vehicle to get food and supplies for his restaurant. Without it, he had to ask friends and family to lend him a car on his shopping days.

It was a challenge.

To help their favorite restaurants out, 341 people contributed $22,055 in donations to a now-disabled GoFundMe campaign.

The city’s Department of Commerce then helped the owners secure the rest of the money needed to replace the vehicles.

When the GoFundMe campaign began last summer, one supporter said, “Don’t worry, the community will come together for you.”

And they certainly did.

Read more about the power of community support in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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