4 minute read
LETTUM EAT with Chef Hank
By Traci Sanders
Homelessness and hunger have been an ongoing issue for many years; however, the pandemic has increased the instances of food insecurity tremendously due to people losing their jobs and children being home from school full time. Of course, there are food banks and church ministries in place that offer temporary or occasional assistance, but one organization is stepping up to the plate to address hunger in a whole new way.
Chef Hank has lived in the Snellville area for over two decades. After years of working in and outside the community, he was blessed with what he called the opportunity of a lifetime and has for two years served as the Executive Chef/ Food and Beverage Director at First Baptist Church of Snellville. Hank recognized the opportunity he had to serve the community by utilizing the abundant food service provisions the church had, combined with the fact that his heart kept telling him that God had a much bigger plan for him: to create a mobile food service called LETTUM EAT that provides free meals to food insecure individuals and families in local communities.
Officially founded in November 2019, LETTUM EAT truly took off during the COVID19 pandemic. After more than a year of serving restaurant-quality meals to families at an affordable cost through the church’s Wednesday night Meal Ministry, along with the sudden stoppage of societal functions due to coronavirus, Hank shared, “I heard God clearly say ‘NOW is the time!’ I had always intended to serve the homeless, both the visible and invisible population of extended-stay motel families, which is growing every day due to the unprecedented soar in the unemployment rate.” The program was developed with the support of Hank’s long-time friend and business partner, Chef Jose Aguilar, who currently wears the various hats of Production Chef, Treasurer, and Hank’s personal confidante. Hank stated he “couldn’t do this without Jose. It’s awesome having people in life that won’t let you fail. Jose often saves me from myself.”
Thanks to partnerships with local churches like Annistown Road Church and Zoar United Methodist Church, in addition to the free access to the kitchen at Hank’s home church, the two friends have multiple locations to prepare the meals in professional kitchens, maintain
ing health and safety regulations. The organization has developed the infrastructure to expand and mass produce meals to serve in surrounding areas. Hank aspires his program to be like other successful community organizations such as the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, which happened to derive from the First Baptist Church of Snellville and is led by Laura Drake, a huge supporter of Hank’s work. LETTUM EAT focuses on hot, dinner-style meals that include a vegetable, starch, and protein. Chicken, steak, and pasta with meat sauce are just a few offered entrees. “Imagine a restaurant that gives away great food instead of selling it to you,” Hank explained, “and then they brought it to you. Or the ice cream truck pulling into a neighborhood or extended-stay motel parking lot, only it is a food truck delivering free, delicious meals.”
The program will soon be implementing a new line of microwaveable hot meals for drivethrough pick up service that will allow an increase in production. Some meals are sponsored by the host organizations, and through donations and grants. “We’ve been blessed with so many supporters donating money and resources,” Hank stated. “We’ve had great support at the county level from Solicitor General Brian Whiteside and County Commissioner Marlene Fosque.”
LETTUM EAT was also awarded a $10,000 grant through the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services – which got them through four weeks of LETTUM EAT Gwinnett where they served close to ten thousand meals throughout the county – and a $7,500 donation from Scott Pryor Law to help purchase the organization’s first food delivery truck. Both cooperatives in Lawrenceville and Grayson offered tremendous support as well. “None of this would be possible without the love and support of Pastor Brian Boyles and my family at First Baptist Church of Snellville,” Hank added.
LETTUM EAT does its best to offer consistent, unlimited service. If they run out of food during one run, they make sure to bring extra the next time, attempting to serve as many families per car as possible. The program has a minimum of 200 meals at every distribution, Continued on page 12
More than 30 Years of Helping People with their Money
Roger S. Green, MSFS, CFP ® Green Financial Resources, LLC These uncertain times may be impacting your finances in a variety of new ways. With 30 years of experience helping people in the good times and the bad, we can help you with financial guidance for whatever situations you are facing at this time. We remain open for telephone contact, and are here to help.
Call 770.931.1414 to schedule a no-cost telephone consultation to discuss your investment accounts, retirement plan, job change, small business concerns, and more!
www.RogerSGreen.com
Special Free ZOOM Class - Medicare Supplement Seminar
For those age 65+, this session will help you analyze the many Medicare combinations available to narrow your choices and find the best options for your situation. Wednesday, August 26 1:00-3:00pm via Zoom. Simply call 770.931.1414 to sign up.
Investment Advisor Representative offering securities & advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker/Dealer, member FINRA, SIPC. Green Financial & Cetera Advisors are not affiliated. Awards are not to be considered a guarantee of future results, nor as an endorsement by any client. Best of Gwinnett winners are chosen via voting and editors’ input, & opinions are vetted with the use of other available information. Pinnacle award rankings are based on growth, revenue, community service, & other criteria. Barron’s: based on total assets (AUM), revenue, & other factors. Office located at 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Ste 140, Duluth, GA 30096.
