“I was heading home one day from Taco Riendo, and as I drove through a mobile home community, I saw someone had set out a makeshift bench with signs that read ‘free food and stuff’. I thought about how someone who maybe struggling financially themselves thought of others who maybe in a worse situation through the holidays and set up food outside to give away.”
This was the beginning of two community pantries set up by Jessica Cordova and Margarita Ortiz, co-owners of Taco Riendo.
The popular food truck, based on Hwy. 60 out of the parking lot at Lake Wales Arts Center, is now home to a holiday food pantry. It sits beside the location’s feminine products pantry, which was brought earlier this year by @Polk Period Pantry to the location as a way to help those who maybe struggle to afford period products.
“Combining the two would be a great way to help others and get our community involved even if it was to help a handful of families in need,” the owners say.
“With this initiative we hope to be able to help along with those in our community who donate to give to those who maybe struggling to make ends meet or who maybe feel shame having to go to food pantry’s in which they maybe have to provide identification or just by having to be seen. In this way we hope that when we are open or close whoever drives by can just stop and help themselves no questions asked.
“We constantly see many people in need walking by Hwy. 60, to whom we have provided a meal or drink free of charge but we know this doesn’t solve the fact that they still may not have food at home.”
Guests at Taco Riendo who are able to donate are encouraged to drop off items for the pantry.
“We hope this will reach more people in our community who maybe willing to donate or even share the information to get the word out,” Cordova says.
At this time, non-perishable food items, as well as toiletries are most needed for the pantry. Anyone, no matter their financial situation, is welcome to take items as needed.
“Sometimes those who don’t ask are the ones in most need so we hope that this ‘take what you need, leave what you can’ pantry will help anyone and everyone who needs it,”says Cordova.
“We are a small business and we know we can’t financially afford to donate much but we are adding items ourselves as we can. We are thankful for all the support so far it’s only been a few days but the response has been wonderful!”
