Brett CallwoodLocal startup Roaming Hunger is looking to feed the homeless, elderly, first responders and healthcare workers in Los Angeles during the current coronavirus crisis by utilizing food trucks.
They’ve set up a Gofundme page to help keep the service running. We spoke to founder and CEO Ross Resnick about the great work that they’re doing…
L.A. WEEKLY: Where did this idea come from?
ROSS RESNICK: At Roaming Hunger, our mission is to bring communities together through food. Normally we do that through helping people, companies and organizations find great local food trucks to cater their events. As we saw demand for catering and events drop off dramatically, we realized we were in a unique position to apply our expertise and software platform to support the Los Angeles community in a time of crisis.
Once we saw the impact the coronavirus was going to have on those in need, we connected with The Dream Center (a nonprofit that provides community support in Los Angeles in the areas of homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, education and human trafficking) and a corporate donor (a client of ours who has chosen to remain anonymous) to pay for and donate 200 meals through our food truck partner Richeeze.
Seeing we had a model that worked, the last piece was creating a way to raise funds to help those in need of food, and also help local food trucks stay in operation as well.
This campaign is a triple win for Los Angeles:
- It feeds the most vulnerable members of our community.
- It supports our local non-profits on the ground.
- And it supports small business (especially one that are at risk of disappearing).
Who will receive the help? How are you choosing the first recipients?
Our second truck is going out this Friday morning to The Dream Center because we’ve raised the next $600 milestone (and more).
We are actively looking for more organizations and groups to support — especially those who are giving meals away to school children, the elderly, the homeless, healthcare workers, or first responders. Please write to us at lafundraising@roaminghunger.com to suggest a nonprofit.
All funds go directly to our food truck partners to provide meals to those in need. Roaming Hunger is waiving all platform and booking fees.
Dream Center / Richeeze (@richeezemelts on Instagram)
How many food trucks are involved?
In Los Angeles alone we have over 500 food trucks in our network (18,000 nationwide). Right now we are working with three food trucks who can provide meals for $6.00. We’re actively adding more food trucks every day as this program grows.
We want to shout out our first three food truck partners:
Any food truck that wants to sign up can email us at: lafundraising@roaminghunger.com
How are you able to maintain safe standards and social distancing from the trucks?
Meals will be packaged individually and passed out on an individual basis, including bringing meals to cars in a drive-thru fashion. Food trucks are adhering to all health department and current guidelines around food and health safety. It’s two to three people preparing meals in a closed kitchen.
Because it’s an individual prepared meal there will be no ordering at the window or payments, meaning there will be no lines. The WHO and other sources have clearly stated that food cannot spread the coronavirus when properly prepared.
How can people help?
Please visit Roaming Hunger to learn more about how you can support your community right now through this effort and visit our GoFundMe campaign. Also, if you are a nonprofit looking for a food solution or a food truck willing to participate, please email us at lafundraising@roaminghunger.com.
Dream Center / Richeeze (@richeezemelts on Instagram)
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