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KOAA-120522

FTAH feeds local people in need

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Thank you to KOAA for doing this piece on us.

As times are tough for many, a local nonprofit organization is helping feed people in need in the Colorado Springs community. It’s a partnership between Food Trucks Against Homelessness and Westside Cares.

Every Monday morning, a group of volunteers park in the parking lot of Westside Cares, and they gave away food, winter clothing and other personal items to up to 100 people. If a food truck is available, the truck and staff will show up to provide a meal instead.

Tracey Porter and her wife founded Food Trucks Against Homelessness in early 2021. It was a time during the pandemic when the economy was impacting everyone, especially the homeless community.

“It’s so difficult, their stories are challenging,” said Porter. “When we connect with those that are on our streets, then we can offer connections, so that they feel worthy and that they can work to get off the streets.”

Since the effort started, they have served more than 6,300 meals to people in need, and on Monday, they served a little more than 80 people. With inflation, and the high prices of food and items right now, the need continues nearly two years later.

“We’re seeing new faces definitely all the time, and then we see some of the same faces,” said Porter. “We need to be out there, and we need to connect with all human beings so that we can all help each other.”

For many, a little help goes a long way especially during hard times like the holidays.

“They give you blankets, they give you shoes, and they’re just good people,” said Lance Reede, who’s been receiving food for a few months now. “I’m still trying to find my way and trying to do what I can do. They help a lot and I really appreciate them.”

Porter said she enjoyed giving back to her community, and forming connections with people who are houseless.

“They give me the opportunity to give back to my community and to make a difference, and that is the most important,” said Porter.

Volunteers from Food Trucks Against Homelessness will be at Westside Cares from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday. They are also accepting cash donations and other forms of donations including winter gear, like sweaters and sweatshirts, coats, hats, socks, hand warmers and gloves.

The organization is also looking for more food trucks to participate at Westside cares in Old Colorado City.

KOAA-122721

Food Trucks Against Homelessness feeds those in need in Colorado Springs

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Thank you to the KOAA News5 for doing this piece on us.

Many organizations feed people in need during the holidays, but a local non-profit is helping year round. Earlier today, they helped feed dozens of homeless people in Colorado Springs.

It’s a partnership between Food Trucks Against Homelessness and Westside Cares. Every Monday morning, the group brings a food truck to Westside Cares. The food truck volunteers their time and supplies to serve meals to dozens of people in need.

Food Trucks Against Homelessness is an effort that began about a year ago because they simply wanted to help feed the homeless. Tracey Porter and her wife founded it, and since then, the effort has only gotten bigger.

“In the beginning, it was about 80 to 100 people, but now we’re seeing about 100 to 130 people. It’s grown. It cost us $200 to reimburse food trucks for their food and supplies, and the supplies we get, is probably between $500 and $800,” said Porter, the program facilitator.

Thanks to the partnership, food trucks like Phat Frankies are parked outside of Westside Cares for two hours every Monday morning serving meals to those in need. When a food truck isn’t available the organization brings food from a local business, like they did on Monday morning.

“They have good food. Today is burritos. Other times they have macaroni and cheese and things like that. It’s a wonderful program,” said Valentine Pineda, who’s been receiving food and items since the effort got underway. “I really appreciated it when they came the day before Thanksgiving. They gave out clothes and everything matched.”

They also bring donated clothes, socks, gloves and even hand warmers to give to people who also got a meal.

“They help everybody because people are just, they’re needy, ya know. They’re not working and they need food, they need clothes, they need everything,” said Judy Astry, who also picked up a meal and items. “I think it’s wonderful. I hope they continue to do it.”

And as Porter was gathering items to bring to people on Monday morning, she says she became emotional because she knows her work is making a difference in the community.

“I was literally in tears, and that’s only because I’m so grateful that I’m able to do this, that we’re able to do this,” said Porter. “These neighbors are so excited to see me, and they’re so grateful because I’ve gotten to know them, and that’s the beauty of all this.”

When News5 asked Porter why she does it, she said, “I just feel that we as human beings, have to help another human being. I think that’s what we’re put on this earth for. It doesn’t matter what day it is, but it’s necessary to be here and it’s necessary, in my opinion, to help them.”

Right now, the organization is looking for more food trucks to volunteer their time. They do give $200 to food truck owners who help out, plus a donation letter so they can write it off on their taxes. They organization also needs donations like socks, gloves, hand warmers, masks, clothes and monetary donations.

The food is served every Monday morning from 11-1.
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KOAA-092721

Colorado Springs family creates “Food Trucks Against Homelessness” to help make a difference

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Thank you to the KOAA News5 for doing this piece on us.

With more families at risk of homelessness, a Colorado Springs family is stepping up to lend a helping hand.

Back in January, Tracey Porter and Marcy Langlois created Food Trucks Against Homeless. A robust program that feeds roughly 85 people each Monday between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. from the Westside CARES parking lot.

“It’s a hot meal, and it’s fantastic. Chicken, sweet roll, and potatoes. You can’t ask for more,” said Francheska Gomez.

One day makes a big difference for people like Gomez whose experiencing homelessness.

“Things go sideways fast. My sister has been out here for years,” said Gomez.

She’s been on the streets for two days and had stopped by Westside Cares for services.

“I saw on the board that they do other things and so I happened to see it was Food truck Mondays haha,” said Gomez.

“Marcy and I faced significant hurdles in our lives, and we were fortunate to be surrounded by caring people who supported us when we needed it most. Now that we’re financially stable, we see it as our responsibility to give back to others, when they need it most,” said Tracey Porter. “Once the initial shock of what was happening around us set in, we knew we wanted to make a difference both for people in poverty and for local businesses. We talked with Kristy (Milligan, the CEO of Westside CARES) about our idea and she agreed that a weekly food truck at Westside CARES would be a perfect combination of supporting local business and filling an actual need.”

Porter developed a Facebook Group called Food Trucks Against Homelessness, which has received considerable support both from local food trucks and individuals interested in supporting their efforts. They have worked with several local food trucks, including Sapo Guapo Tacos, Lucy I’m Home, Mateo’s, Tango Springs, Phat Frankies, BF Chew-Chew Gastrotruck, Smokin’ J’s BBQ, Mile High BBQ, Roadtisserie, Tepex, Sno Peak Shaved Ice, and La Casita.

“We try to get food trucks that will give up their time, food, and supplies needed to serve that food. We do offer $200 to each truck, but most of the trucks give of that,” said Porter.

“To ask them to come and volunteer their time, a majority of them love to be able to do that but others can not so we need to come up with the funds to make that happen and available,” said Langlois.
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