Roaming Hunger Partners with Local Organizations to Provide Disaster Relief Meals in Asheville, North Carolina Roaming Hunger, the largest food truck network in the nation, is collaborating with local and national organizations to offer free meals to disaster relief workers and residents in Asheville, North Carolina, following Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Alongside Mike Trotta, owner of New York’s Buddy Boy Provisions, and local food trailer Roman’s Treats and Dogs, Roaming Hunger has been delivering food and supplies to hundreds involved in recovery efforts over the past few weeks.
Cross-State Collaboration for Relief Efforts in Asheville
After witnessing the destruction in Asheville and Western North Carolina, Trotta felt compelled to act. While he had food, water, and dry goods ready for donation, he lacked a means to distribute them directly. He turned to Roaming Hunger for assistance.
“Upon learning about the effects of Hurricane Helene, I realized we could make a difference,” Trotta stated. “Partnering with Roaming Hunger enabled us to deliver meals swiftly to those in dire need. I’m grateful we could unite to support the community during this difficult period.”
Following their discussion, Roaming Hunger utilized its extensive network to connect with local food trucks already involved in disaster relief in Asheville. The quick response from Roman’s Treats and Dogs ensured that Trotta’s donations reached those most in need.
Roman Romagnoli, a 22-year Navy veteran and owner of Roman’s Treats and Dogs, played a vital role in managing local operations. He not only stored Trotta’s donations to prevent spoilage but also volunteered to distribute them to Nesbitt Perish Church, a key supply distribution hub. Additionally, Romagnoli contributed several dozen cases of sports drinks to the effort.
“Getting these meals to the people working long hours in the field was crucial,” Romagnoli remarked.
Roaming Hunger’s prompt response and collaboration with local food partners strengthened the relief efforts. The organization is uniquely equipped to assist other groups wishing to contribute food during disaster situations.
“At Roaming Hunger, our mission centers on connecting communities through the power of food. So when Buddy Boy Provisions contacted us, we were eager to mobilize quickly and provide meals to those in need—relief workers, volunteers, and local residents affected by the storm,” explained Greg Liberman, CEO of Roaming Hunger. “Our nationwide platform, alongside exceptional food truck partners like Roman’s Treats, positions us to deliver hot meals to those working tirelessly to rebuild their communities.”
Food Trucks: A Resource for Disaster Relief
Roaming Hunger’s involvement in the Asheville disaster relief showcases the effectiveness of food trucks in crisis situations, providing essential meals to areas where traditional infrastructure may falter.
This initiative exemplifies Roaming Hunger’s capability to respond to disasters and serves as a blueprint for future relief efforts, utilizing food trucks as a crucial resource for feeding emergency teams and affected communities.