Lew's BBQ owner Avery Lewis seeks help

Avery “Lew” Lewis, the owner of Lew’s BBQ in Everett, Washington, is seeking financial and volunteer support as he undergoes cancer treatment, according to a family fundraiser and local reports. Mia Lewis, who organized a GoFundMe on his behalf, wrote that her father was recently diagnosed with rectal cancer and is starting radiation and chemotherapy immediately. Because Lewis runs the restaurant largely on his own, she said treatment will force a temporary closure of about one to two months. A social media post circulating Tuesday said supporters were also asking for help so Lewis could continue community work tied to feeding homeless residents and organizing toy giveaways in Everett. ### Who is Avery “Lew” Lewis? Avery Lewis opened Lew’s BBQ on August 20, 2011, at Pacific and Fulton in Everett, according to My Everett News. The outlet said Lewis had previously worked for seven years as a correctional officer in Monroe and had catered for three years before opening the restaurant. Everett-area profiles have long described Lewis as more than a restaurant owner. (gofundme.com) Seattle Refined said in a 2021 profile that Lewis referred to the business as “a lighthouse” for people in need, while My Everett News wrote in 2023 that he had spoken publicly about overcoming homelessness and addiction and saw the restaurant as a place to give back. ### What does the fundraiser say about his diagnosis and treatment? (myeverettnews.com) Mia Lewis wrote on GoFundMe that her father was diagnosed with rectal cancer and that doctors had set an “aggressive treatment plan” involving both radiation and chemotherapy. She said the treatment would prevent him from physically keeping the restaurant open and would require a temporary shutdown of about one to two months. (seattlerefined.com) The GoFundMe page listed a goal of $25,000 and showed $6,265 raised from 75 donations when it was captured by web search results. Mia Lewis wrote that the money was intended to help cover medical expenses, personal bills and restaurant overhead while the business is closed. ### Why are supporters tying this appeal to feeding homeless residents and toy drives? Lew’s BBQ has been linked for years to a community effort called “Feed the Need.” Intentionalist says Lewis created the program after experiencing homelessness himself and that the initiative has collected donations and fed people experiencing homelessness since 2013. (gofundme.com) My Everett News reported that “Feed the Need” events in Everett have included food, resources, toy drives, clothing donations and other free community offerings. (gofundme.com) The same report said Lewis described the restaurant as a community hub and that past outreach had been built around hope, food and support for people in need. ### What outside reporting has confirmed the current appeal? (intentionalist.com) Puget Press reported on July 21 that Lewis was temporarily closing Lew’s BBQ during cancer treatment and that his family had launched a GoFundMe for support. That report matched the family fundraiser’s description of a cancer battle affecting the operation of the restaurant. A social media post shared Tuesday amplified the appeal and said Lewis needed community help to keep feeding homeless residents and continue annual toy giveaways for local children in Everett. (myeverettnews.com) The post itself was referenced in the source material for this story, but the directly accessible details independently confirmed through web reporting come from the GoFundMe page and local coverage. (pugetpress.com) ### Where can people follow the next steps? Lew’s BBQ is located at 2703 Pacific Ave. in Everett, according to local business profiles and reporting. The most direct public update on Lewis’s needs appears to be the GoFundMe organized by Mia Lewis, while Lew’s BBQ’s Facebook page and local Everett coverage have documented the restaurant’s community work and prior “Feed the Need” events. (myeverettnews.com) (gofundme.com)