Far More Than A Food Truck
Donation protected
Mike and Avril are working hard to create a business that not only offers an amazing product but one that is created from passion and builds community.
Why a food truck?
When we picture combing food and community in a way that can succeed, a food truck/mobile restaurant offers the perfect opportunity. Mike's love is for food and cooking. Avril has experience in the food industry and with marketing, design, branding, event planning and networking. Together we both have a strong drive to be a benefit and of service to our community. We believe this opportunity will succeed with our skill set and passion while making a positive change in Portland, Maine.
The Vision
We have created a modern take on a picnic theme, lovingly named "Basket & Blanket." Our menu consists of sandwiches, sides, desserts and drinks, that are locally sourced as much as possible and created by Mike (although Avril is happy to taste test and, as always, put in her two cents). We want to know where our food comes from and build on-going relationships with Maine farms and businesses while providing great food at a fair price to our guests.
The Give Back
We look forward to using our truck as a way to give back to the community through the "Basket & Blanket Project,” offering baskets of goods and blankets to various non-profits and organizations in need. That may mean a basket of toiletry items and a blanket to the homeless or childcare items and a comfort item to children in foster care or baskets of animal care products and dog blankets to animal shelters, depending on the focus at that time. We will use a portion of our profits along with fundraisers to help fund the project.

The Motivation
Aside from doing our part in the city of Portland and supporting local businesses, in having a seasonal business we are also hoping to set ourselves up to have the schedule flexibility that allows us more time with Mike's daughter, while giving her experience in what it take to run a business. We want to demonstrate that it is possible to build a business that supports local economy, other organizations, passions, our family and our guests all at the same time.
More About Mike
Mike has been working in the food industry for 17+ years and has experience in all areas of the restaurant business. He assisted in opening a restaurant in Brunswick, ME where he was the head chef in 2016. Food and cooking has always been his biggest passion and, as a single father, has been something he has passed on to his 14-year old daughter. He currently works as the Executive Chef at a restaurant in Portland. Ultimately, he dreams of using his passion to be of service to others.
More About Avril
Avril has a degree in Art Education and a 200-hour yoga teaching certificate. She received the Creativity Award through Salem State University and attended a training for Teaching Recovery Yoga and a workshop on Teaching Mindfulness to Children. She has traveled to 20 countries and volunteered in a variety of settings including with at-risk youth, those in addiction recovery, and the homeless population. Years spent in the restaurant industry have helped to fund many of those endeavors.
The two of us together have combined experience, skills and passions that will help our business and its addition to the community thrive and succeed.
Where Will The Money Go?
The funds received, combined with funding from lenders, will go towards the following:
- The truck (vehicle itself, exterior wrapping, and interior appliances)
- Permits and licensing
- Small Business fees through the State of Maine
- Registration and insurance
- Startup costs
- Commercial kitchen rental
Our Thank You To You
We want to celebrate even the smallest donation so everyone who donates will be added to our list to receive information first, special discounts and coupons once we are running, and more!
Our second level of donations, those $100 or more will get all of the perks other donors get and more, such as cool schwag, larger discounts, opportunity for a special named after you and special event opportunities.
Why We Need Your Help
Without you we would not be able to make this a reality. We hope that through this project it will become something in which our entire community benefits. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Why a food truck?
When we picture combing food and community in a way that can succeed, a food truck/mobile restaurant offers the perfect opportunity. Mike's love is for food and cooking. Avril has experience in the food industry and with marketing, design, branding, event planning and networking. Together we both have a strong drive to be a benefit and of service to our community. We believe this opportunity will succeed with our skill set and passion while making a positive change in Portland, Maine.
The Vision
We have created a modern take on a picnic theme, lovingly named "Basket & Blanket." Our menu consists of sandwiches, sides, desserts and drinks, that are locally sourced as much as possible and created by Mike (although Avril is happy to taste test and, as always, put in her two cents). We want to know where our food comes from and build on-going relationships with Maine farms and businesses while providing great food at a fair price to our guests.
The Give Back
We look forward to using our truck as a way to give back to the community through the "Basket & Blanket Project,” offering baskets of goods and blankets to various non-profits and organizations in need. That may mean a basket of toiletry items and a blanket to the homeless or childcare items and a comfort item to children in foster care or baskets of animal care products and dog blankets to animal shelters, depending on the focus at that time. We will use a portion of our profits along with fundraisers to help fund the project.
The Motivation
Aside from doing our part in the city of Portland and supporting local businesses, in having a seasonal business we are also hoping to set ourselves up to have the schedule flexibility that allows us more time with Mike's daughter, while giving her experience in what it take to run a business. We want to demonstrate that it is possible to build a business that supports local economy, other organizations, passions, our family and our guests all at the same time.
More About Mike
Mike has been working in the food industry for 17+ years and has experience in all areas of the restaurant business. He assisted in opening a restaurant in Brunswick, ME where he was the head chef in 2016. Food and cooking has always been his biggest passion and, as a single father, has been something he has passed on to his 14-year old daughter. He currently works as the Executive Chef at a restaurant in Portland. Ultimately, he dreams of using his passion to be of service to others.
More About Avril
Avril has a degree in Art Education and a 200-hour yoga teaching certificate. She received the Creativity Award through Salem State University and attended a training for Teaching Recovery Yoga and a workshop on Teaching Mindfulness to Children. She has traveled to 20 countries and volunteered in a variety of settings including with at-risk youth, those in addiction recovery, and the homeless population. Years spent in the restaurant industry have helped to fund many of those endeavors.
The two of us together have combined experience, skills and passions that will help our business and its addition to the community thrive and succeed.
Where Will The Money Go?
The funds received, combined with funding from lenders, will go towards the following:
- The truck (vehicle itself, exterior wrapping, and interior appliances)
- Permits and licensing
- Small Business fees through the State of Maine
- Registration and insurance
- Startup costs
- Commercial kitchen rental
Our Thank You To You
We want to celebrate even the smallest donation so everyone who donates will be added to our list to receive information first, special discounts and coupons once we are running, and more!
Our second level of donations, those $100 or more will get all of the perks other donors get and more, such as cool schwag, larger discounts, opportunity for a special named after you and special event opportunities.
Why We Need Your Help
Without you we would not be able to make this a reality. We hope that through this project it will become something in which our entire community benefits. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Fundraising team: Mike & Avril (2)
Avril Williams
Organizer
Portland, ME
Mike Allen
Team member