Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
Loving Hut has launched a partnership with Phoenix Feed a Neighbor that will expand distribution of meals donated through the restaurant’s Pay-it-Forward program to families and individuals in central Phoenix.
Under the partnership, volunteers will pick up donated Pay-it-Forward meals from Loving Hut on the last Sunday of each month and distribute them through the 5830 Community space at 5830 N. 19th Ave. in Phoenix. Additional Wednesday pickups may be scheduled based on meal availability and volunteer participation, according to a press release.
The collaboration builds on Loving Hut’s existing Pay-it-Forward program, which allows customers to purchase a future meal for someone in need. While Loving Hut will continue providing meals to unhoused individuals who visit its restaurants, a portion of donated meals will be reserved for distribution through Phoenix Feed a Neighbor.
“Taking care of people has always been part of who we are at Loving Hut,” said Linh La, owner of Loving Hut Glendale, Loving Hut Southern and Loving Hut Peoria. “When I visited the 5830 Community space and saw the care Jameil’a, Santio, Brandi and their volunteers put into helping their neighbors, I knew we wanted to be part of it. This partnership gives our guests a simple way to help send warm, healthy plant-based meals farther into the community, and that is something really special.”
Phoenix Feed a Neighbor is a volunteer-led initiative founded by Jameil’a Mitchell and Santio Wells, with Brandi Caudell overseeing operations at the 5830 Community space. The partnership was formed after Ms. Mitchell asked her Instagram community to recommend vegan-friendly restaurants interested in supporting the effort. Loving Hut customers suggested the restaurant, leading Ms. La to connect with the organization and visit its food distributions.
Phoenix Feed a Neighbor provides food boxes to approximately 200 people each week and delivers assistance to about 75 families weekly. From July 9 through July 31, the organization assisted approximately 531 people through its food box program. In August, it had already supported more than 230 people.
As Hunger Action Month approaches, Loving Hut hopes to provide 200 Pay-it-Forward meals through Phoenix Feed a Neighbor by Sept. 30.
