A local initiative pairing people dealing with food insecurity with meals purchased from local restaurants has served more than 80,000 meals to individuals and families, investing more than $600,000 into the local restaurant economy. 

The Nourish to Flourish Initiative, an initiative of nonprofit Lightspark Foundation, works with a group of local restaurants and community partners to get high-quality food into the hands of those who need it. With a $100,000 boost from Salt Lake City approved by the City Council in November, along with donations from other organizations and individuals, Nourish to Flourish provides relief to those who have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“I have been so impressed with how much good Nourish to Flourish has accomplished in just a few months,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “I was able to join the organization on Tuesday to distribute meals and it was inspiring to watch, especially knowing how the effort benefits those preparing the food and those receiving it alike.”  

Volunteers were onsite at Neighborhood House Tuesday to distribute 200 meals from Maize Homestyle Tacos and Premier Catering (operated by the SLC Pacific Island Business Alliance), two of the participating 12 restaurants. 

“The Nourish to Flourish program is a source of security for the families served at Neighborhood House,” said Jennifer Nuttall, Executive Director of Neighborhood House. “We feel very grateful to be part of this wonderful initiative that helps hard working, low-income families in our community as well as local restaurants. Nourish to Flourish offers our clients not only daily warm nutritious food, but also food stability, quality time together in the evenings, and peace of mind. This resource is a wonderful benefit to everyone in the community.”

Those interested in learning more about and contributing to the Nourish to Flourish Initiative, can visit www.nourishtoflourish.org, or contact Brian Jones at 801-803-3655 or bjones@lightspark.foundation.

Restaurant Partners: 

• Café Trio  
• Diversion Café  
• Greek Souvlaki
• Moochies 
• Pulp Lifestyle Kitchen 
• Publik Kitchen
• Spice Kitchen Incubator 
• Maize     
• Premier Catering 
• Publik Kitchen 
• Yoko Ramen

Service Provider Partners:  

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake
• Catholic Community Services  
• Columbus Community Center
• Housing Connect  
• International Rescue Committee
• Neighborhood House  
• Promise South Salt Lake   
• Salt Lake County Youth Services
• Utah Community Action  
• YouthCity
• Asian Association of Utah
• Ronald McDonald House Charities   

Funding Partners:

• Salt Lake County
• Sentry Financial
• Salt Lake City
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Lightspark Foundation
• JP Morgan Chase Bank
•  Key Bank
•  First Utah Bank

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