NEW ORLEANS — Toups Meatery recently got a new member on the team – and it's the only one that's chillin' in the heat of the summer. Their new refrigerated truck, kindly donated, has now become a staple in their effort to feed kids this summer. Twice a week it's packed with bags and bags of food that gets delivered to kids across New Orleans.
"We have a refrigerated truck donated from inland seafood that was huge! So it’s been sitting on the side of our building all summer so we can build the bags and the boxes faster and earlier and keep them very cold," Amanda Toups, Owner of Toups Meatery said. "So whenever the drivers get here they’re coming right off the refrigerated truck to their air-conditioned cars and then straight to the houses.
Over the past few weeks the restaurant, with help from dozens of volunteers, has been hand-delivering meals, twice a week.
After Friday's delivery, they've delivered over 19,000 meals.
The idea sparked after Governor Jeff Landry initially declined to participate in the summer EBT program. Landry eventually changed his mind, but the Toups had a plan and stuck with it. Now they've even started a nonprofit – Toups Family Meal.
"It’s been incredible it really does give me faith in humanity. When we hear from families, they’re so grateful they’re so happy to have a little bit of extra assistance our delivery drivers have all become friends," Toups said.
It's a massive undertaking, but a few weeks in they've pretty much got it down.
"Every week we’re getting a little smarter every week we’re getting a little faster," Toups said. "My general manager has built out these 45 routes with multiple stops and it’s just seamless it’s boom boom boom, order order order, we get it out."
But, what they don't have down is the funding. So far they've made everything possible through donations from residents and other businesses and out of their pockets.
Plus, it's costing thousands every week and they want to be able to deliver through the beginning of August, when they know all kids in New Orleans are officially back in school – with a goal of 60,000 meals.
"Fundraising really is key right now we have the infrastructure we know what it takes we know where to get the food we know how to do it. It really just is paying for it," Toups said.
To help, they're throwing a fundraiser.
Sunday, June 30 they'll have a night of live music at the Broadside with a live auction. The money will go towards helping kids get the meals they need. For tickets and to donate visit ToupsFamilyMeal.com.]
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