Ofelia cuts onions

FIN entrepreneurs make meals for communities affected by COVID-19

FIN entrepreneurs are contributing their time and skills to make tasty, healthy meals for families and older adults who need them. Check out our photo album, and watch a video featuring our first meal’s lead chef, Naija Buka owner Lilian Ryland:

We’re now cooking up 600 hot meals each week. Our partner Linda Croasdill at the City of SeaTac Senior Program reports, “The meals have been a big hit and everyone would like to give you and your support team a great big air hug and a really big smile.”

We are excited to share that we are collaborating with the American Heart Association to provide hot meals and support our Food Business Incubator entrepreneurs in the process. American Heart Association’s support has allowed us to expand our meals and add health education components to the work. This summer we will work together to support seniors living with food insecurity and establish deeper connections for the community.

Huge thanks to everyone who’s helping to nourish our community as we face this challenge together. We’re grateful to our individual donors, who have collectively contributed more than $2,500. We’re also thankful for:

Our in-kind supporters 

  • Tilth Alliance is providing fresh, locally grown produce weekly
  • Macrina Bakery is supplying wonderful baked goods weekly
  • Project Feast is donating key ingredients, cooking dishes, and sharing much-needed kitchen facilities
  • Des Moines Area Food Bank is supplying dried beans and other legumes
  • Food Lifeline is contributing staple food ingredients weekly
  • The Storehouse Covington Food Bank has contributed ingredients
  • FIN entrepreneurs, Incubator program manager Kerrie Carbary, and many of Kerrie’s neighbors have contributed ingredients
  • Cheri Mayer gave our kitchen and delivery crews homemade masks to support health and safety

Our chefs, meal packers, and delivery drivers

  • FIN entrepreneurs including Naija Buka owner Lilian Ryland, Mamá Tila owner Ofelia Anorve, Monique’s Hot Kitchen owner Monica Wachira, Seatango owners Monica di Bartolomeo and Ariel Firpo, and Soozveen Mediterranean Catering owner Sheelan Shamdeen
  • Community volunteers including Liyu Yirdaw, Theary Ngeth, Khadija Yusuph, Mwana Moyo, Batulo Nuh, and FIN Steering Committee Co-chair Ehler Win
  • Global to Local staff members including Abdi Hussein, Jonathan Sugarman, Katie Behrends, Deeqa Mah, Roda Sugulle, Kara Martin, Kerrie Carbary, and Denise Miller

Our community partners distributing meals


Get involved

You can make a donation at bit.ly/FINmeals, or email Kerrie if you’d like to help in another way: kerrie@foodinnovationnetwork.org

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