At Alings, we’re not just a unique Chinese and Indian fusion restaurant in Sugar Land, TX with incredibly tasty food (seriously, come try it). We’re also a part of our chosen community.
First, our story. We opened in March 2011 in a rented space that was just 3,000 square feet. Back then, we had just eight employees. But word always gets around when good food is involved. By 2018, we expanded, purchasing 2 acres of property to build a 6,500-square-foot restaurant supporting 36 employees.
Two years later, Covid struck.
We saw the economic hardship that Covid was causing all over Houston. We also saw how it was decimating the health and lives of community members. We watched medical professionals fight the disease daily and were impressed by their bravery.
We wanted to support these heroes and give back to the country and community that gave us so much.
Since food is what we do best, we decided to distribute meals to show our appreciation! During the pandemic, we donated over 20,000 meals to:
- Hospitals and nursing homes in Sugar Land, Houston, and Richmond
- Doctor’s offices, emergency clinics, and testing centers in Sugar Land, Houston, Richmond, and Rosenberg
- To first responders in Sugar Land, Rosenberg, and Houston
- To hundreds of volunteers working for various non-profits helping people affected by Covid
- After schools reopened, we donated to teachers in several schools to show appreciation for their efforts
We realized we could reach many more people by partnering with others, so we started expanding our efforts.
- We organized a food drive to provide a week’s worth of groceries for 200 refugee families and raised $1200 in cash contributions.
- We donated 6000 pieces of PPE to the City of Sugar Land
- We partnered with Mr. Umang Mehta of Deep Foods to distribute thousands of cookies with each donated meal.
- Mr. Naushad Kermally motivated our giving by raising $10,000 to provide meals to various hospitals and also, in turn, support local restaurants. He continues to connect us to people in need. We continue to provide food.
- We set up a program to provide meals at cost, allowing us to donate an additional 3,500 meals.
We didn’t forget our own employees either. Many of our servers didn’t have access to childcare during the pandemic, so we converted our party room into a childcare room. Some of the older children began volunteering and getting excited about packing and delivering the kids. Moms encouraged younger kids to create Thank You cards for our heroes, which we delivered with the food. Faces lit up when we delivered these cards!
Congressman Pete Olson, Congressman Tony Nehls, State Representative Jacey Jetton, Governor Grego Abbot, County Judge KP George, Fort Bend Sheriff Eric Fagan, Sugar Land Council Members, and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman all came out to recognize our efforts, and we are grateful for the awards they offered! Nonprofits such as Child Advocates of Fort Bend, the Sugar Land Exchange Club, India House, schools, and hospitals also recognized us. So did the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. It was the first time they had recognized a business in their history.
As the pandemic passed, we remained committed to remaining involved with our community. We donated meals to storm shelters, senior homes, and non-profits during Winter Storm Uri. We also partnered with another non-profit to collect 20,000 pounds of clothes and $2,500, donations which will help the survivors of domestic abuse.
So when you come on down to our location to enjoy some of Sugar Land’s boldest flavors and tuck into a Sizzling Beef Platter or a plate of Chili Shrimp, you’ll be doing more than starting a party in your mouth.
