Like most people who depend upon the vitality of the hospitality industry to provide for their families, Josh Stoneking, was filled with anxiety when Governor Eric Holcomb ordered all restaurants in the state to shut down dine-in operations.
In a moment of reflection and inspiration, however, Josh came to realize that everything he was feeling was fear, and in that moment, he remembered Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”
It was a verse his mother would often recite to him, and it taught Josh to be courageous in doing what is right, even when he was afraid.
Feeling renewed, Josh connected with his business partner, Bill Ficca, and they decided to use their kitchen space at The Vanguard, their restaurant in Broad Ripple, to begin producing meals. From there, a group of local leaders rallied around Josh, including McFarland Foods, which offered to provide transportation and delivery of meals prepared in The Vanguard kitchen to hungry families in need.
Now other partners and kitchens are joining in the movement and over 2000 meals per week are being prepared and distributed throughout Indianapolis. Please consider joining in the movement to keep some of Indianapolis’s most vulnerable fed through this crisis.
Inspired by Josh’s leadership and service to his community, several partners and kitchens are joining in the movement and according to the Indy’s Courageous Kitchens website, over 2000 meals per week are being prepared and distributed throughout Indianapolis.
Like any worthwhile cause, however, it takes more than just a commitment to a vision, hard work, and a heart for the cause to make it work.
“The life force of this program comes from the financial support of the private sector,” Josh told WIBC’s Hammer and Nigel Friday afternoon. “Our meals cost us less than $2.50 to prepare, and that includes the food, labor, and the packaging,” he explained. “So for just $2.50, you’re providing a job for a hospitality worker and nourishment for the city’s most vulnerable people.”
Josh said people are amazed when they discover that a simple $25 donation can feed a total of 10 people.
“When you help people understand how far their dollars are going, they very quickly are willing to get behind us and they want to offer support,” said Josh.
Please consider joining in the movement to keep some of Indianapolis’s most vulnerable fed through this crisis by donating HERE.
Click below to learn more and hear Hammer and Nigel’s full interview with Josh Stoneking.
https://omny.fm/shows/hammer-and-nigel-show/josh-stoneking-talks-indys-courageous-kitchens
