Going Beyond Expectations to Feed the Hungry
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Hello,
During these uncertain times, we felt that it is more important than ever to come together as a community and help others. We are five college students who are looking to make a difference and when we heard about Michelle White—a woman who makes it her life’s purpose to better the lives of those around her—we knew that we needed to act. Ms. White is the owner of Food 4 Your Soul, which is a catering business located in Youngstown, OH, that specializes in making delicious Soul Food for its patrons. Her story is one of resilience and compassion, and her work within our communities has earned her the Community Unsung Hero Award and recognition from Mahoning Valley FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group). It is our goal to help this local hero with her mission to feed those in need the best for less.
So… What is Food 4 Your Soul all about?
Ms. White learned how to feed her community at a young age from her parents, Rudy and Brenetta Stephens. Since then, she became a prep cook at Chi Chi’s and became a general manager at Red Lobster. In 2008, she combined her professional and cooking experience to start a catering business, which today is known as Food 4 Your Soul. Just two years later, she began feeding the less fortunate with donations and profits made through her business. At first, Ms. White started feeding the hungry by preparing home cooked Soul Food and feeding people from her car because this method was the most accessible to those who needed it most. For over 10 years, Ms. White has been feeding the hungry in a vacant parking lot located on the south side of Youngstown, which allowed for people to easily access her delicious meals on foot once a month. Through her charitable acts, she has had a lasting impact on the Youngstown community.
Ms. White believes feeding the hungry is about much more than putting food in the stomachs of those in need; it is about feeding the Soul. Nobody wants to find themselves struggling to make ends meet, so when they come for help, she wants them to feel love and support. Ms. White understands that sharing a home cooked meal can bring comfort and fellowship to those in need. Offering meals worthy of your grandmother’s approval, she serves nearly 500 people a month, most of whom are children. Ms. White uses these opportunities to offer goods beyond food, such as clothes, school supplies, and toys for anyone who may need them. Events like these cost her upwards of $1000, but it’s serving others that concerns Ms. White, not the cost of hosting these events.
Now, this is where we need your help!
We are coming up on the second year that Ms. White started feeding the hungry from a vacant parking lot once a month. Pandemic related restrictions have made it difficult for Ms. White to afford and safely feed those in need. We need your support to make it possible for Ms. White to continue to feed the hungry of Youngstown. Any donated funds will be used to help Ms. White purchase items such as:
· Food
· Storage Bags
· To-go Boxes
· Cutlery
· Cups
· Other cooking materials for F4YS catering services
We encourage you to please donate if possible and share this page. If you would like to read more on Ms. White’s incredible story, you can click the link below! Feel free to check out Food 4 Your Soul’s Facebook page as well.
Article on Michelle White and F4YS
F4YS Facebook Page
We thank you for your donations and support!
With hope and love,
Lyle Roddey
Lauren Matuszewski
Jacob Taylor
Kaylor Stocker
Richard Loges
During these uncertain times, we felt that it is more important than ever to come together as a community and help others. We are five college students who are looking to make a difference and when we heard about Michelle White—a woman who makes it her life’s purpose to better the lives of those around her—we knew that we needed to act. Ms. White is the owner of Food 4 Your Soul, which is a catering business located in Youngstown, OH, that specializes in making delicious Soul Food for its patrons. Her story is one of resilience and compassion, and her work within our communities has earned her the Community Unsung Hero Award and recognition from Mahoning Valley FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group). It is our goal to help this local hero with her mission to feed those in need the best for less.
So… What is Food 4 Your Soul all about?
Ms. White learned how to feed her community at a young age from her parents, Rudy and Brenetta Stephens. Since then, she became a prep cook at Chi Chi’s and became a general manager at Red Lobster. In 2008, she combined her professional and cooking experience to start a catering business, which today is known as Food 4 Your Soul. Just two years later, she began feeding the less fortunate with donations and profits made through her business. At first, Ms. White started feeding the hungry by preparing home cooked Soul Food and feeding people from her car because this method was the most accessible to those who needed it most. For over 10 years, Ms. White has been feeding the hungry in a vacant parking lot located on the south side of Youngstown, which allowed for people to easily access her delicious meals on foot once a month. Through her charitable acts, she has had a lasting impact on the Youngstown community.
Ms. White believes feeding the hungry is about much more than putting food in the stomachs of those in need; it is about feeding the Soul. Nobody wants to find themselves struggling to make ends meet, so when they come for help, she wants them to feel love and support. Ms. White understands that sharing a home cooked meal can bring comfort and fellowship to those in need. Offering meals worthy of your grandmother’s approval, she serves nearly 500 people a month, most of whom are children. Ms. White uses these opportunities to offer goods beyond food, such as clothes, school supplies, and toys for anyone who may need them. Events like these cost her upwards of $1000, but it’s serving others that concerns Ms. White, not the cost of hosting these events.
Now, this is where we need your help!
We are coming up on the second year that Ms. White started feeding the hungry from a vacant parking lot once a month. Pandemic related restrictions have made it difficult for Ms. White to afford and safely feed those in need. We need your support to make it possible for Ms. White to continue to feed the hungry of Youngstown. Any donated funds will be used to help Ms. White purchase items such as:
· Food
· Storage Bags
· To-go Boxes
· Cutlery
· Cups
· Other cooking materials for F4YS catering services
We encourage you to please donate if possible and share this page. If you would like to read more on Ms. White’s incredible story, you can click the link below! Feel free to check out Food 4 Your Soul’s Facebook page as well.
Article on Michelle White and F4YS
F4YS Facebook Page
We thank you for your donations and support!
With hope and love,
Lyle Roddey
Lauren Matuszewski
Jacob Taylor
Kaylor Stocker
Richard Loges
Fundraising team: Team 4 (5)
Lyle Roddey
Organizer
Youngstown, OH
Michelle White
Beneficiary
Richard Loges
Team member
Lauren Matuszewski
Team member
Kaylor Stocker
Team member
Jacob Taylor
Team member