Mexican bakers make pan dulce for hundreds of Harvey victims after becoming trapped by floods
The four workers used nearly 2,000 kilogrammes of flour and baked day and night
Four bakers who became trapped in their bakery for two days in the wake of Hurricane Harvey made hundreds of loaves of bread to give to flood victims.
The workers from the El Bolillo Bakery in Houston, Texas, used up nearly 2,000kg of flour to bake bread and pan dulce, Mexican sweet bread, throughout the night and day after they were left stranded by the floods over the weekend.
The four bakers had been working on a late shift when they realised they could not leave the shop because of the level of water on the streets.
To take their minds off worrying about their family and friends, they decided to continue to bake for those affected by the devastating downpours.
The Mexican bakery, which specialises in Mexican cakes and patisseries, had remained dry and had not been cut off from electricity so the bakers were able to work throughout the night and the following day.
Brian Alvarado, the manager of the shop on South Wayside Drive, told TheIndependent: “When they realised they were stuck, they decided to keep themselves busy and help the community and made as many loaves of bread as they could.
“By the time the owner managed to get to them, they had made so much bread that we took the loaves to loads of emergency centres across the city for people affected by the floods.
“We didn’t count exactly how many loaves they made, but they used 4,400 pounds [1,996kg] of flour.”
Although one of the bakers experienced some damage to his home because of the floods, the others returned to dry properties, Mr Alvarado said.
Thousands of people reacted to the baker’s “heartwarming” feat on social media, hailing the bakers as “heroes” and praising their “big hearts” and “great community service”.
Writing on Facebook, Debby Goforth said: “Hats off to you. What an inspiration you guys are!”
Eddie Gurbisz added: “Awesome job guys! Can’t say enough good things about what you’ve done for the people of Houston! Much love and respect.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trapped-mexican-bakers-make-pan-dulce-bread-hurricane-harvey-victims-houston-texas-el-bolillo-a7921106.html?cmpid=facebook-post