Flaming Marshmallow Catering Co.

The Flaming Marshmallow Story
     This story begins on a quiet beach in Southern California. A family separated by three states, gather annually at San Onofre Beach on Camp Pendleton for a week of fun in the sun, family bonding, and bonfires on the beach which always includes . . .  marshmallow roasting! Five cousins sitting around the fire, chatting like best friends, you'd never know that their entire relationship was built on one week a year, diving through waves and chatting around a campfire, before heading back to their prospective home towns for another year of academic endeavors and life-as-they-know-it.
     Before my son learned how to push the buttons on a microwave, he knew how to roast the perfect marshmallow. "Catch the flame then blow it out", I'd say. The marshmallow MUST be flaming. Enduring to make the perfect "flaming marshmallow", the look of pride in his eyes were joyfully exchanged with a smile of approval from mom for roasting the perfect marshmallow. That's me. Cody's mom . . . and only parent. 
     Being Cody's mom was the best decision I ever made. Loving him has been easy. Providing for him? . . not so much. Choosing to be a parent over a provider meant living with little means. Weekends were spent at home watching movies, eating home baked chocolate chip cookies and calling out for pizza delivery. Weekend excursions and sports activities were not in the budget and therefore out of the question and not a part of our life. 
     Fast forward through 17 years of joys and struggles, and my Cody is now a senior in high school. He is highly successful academically and aspires to attend college next year to study film production. All those weekends spent cuddling on the couch, watching movies, evolved into a love of film directing and scriptwriting. 
     Cody has worked hard to ensure that his future is more secure than his past. He has earned the right to apply for the colleges of his choice. As he sits next to me writing a 10-page film script for college application submission, I too, am writing. I am writing my vison for the future; a future that pursues a life of passion and deeper meaning. A lifestyle environment that allows for more sitting around the bonfire, more family time, more living, in general.

My vision
     Meal time is a place for gathering to engage all our senses and emotions. It isn't a wonder that the best times in life are spent sitting around the table, nourishing the body, as well as the soul. In almost every culture in the world, food is a central focus to social gatherings and celebrations. It brings people together. It heightens the senses and strengthens the experience, making lasting memories. 
     Flaming Marshmallow Catering Co. will be built and operated with this purpose in mind. It will offer various cuisines that cater to the requests of the client. Our working motto will be, “learn as we grow.” Our marshmallow roasting service will spotlight the experience. We will reach our public audience and private clientele through community events, brochures, social media marketing, and good ol' word of mouth. 
     The funds raised will be utilized for, but not limited to, the purchase of equipment and supplies, event setup, kitchen rental space, insurance, transportation, health permit, marketing, and our first charity event.
     Funds are needed right away. I hope to break ground this holiday season. As a single mom who received a holiday food basket complete with a turkey, at a time when hope seemed lost in a cycle of poverty, my renewed hope is that we can kick off our business and season with 10 - 25 turkey food baskets for families in need this holiday season. Nothing would bring me greater pleasure than to personally hand over a complete holiday meal to a struggling mother or family experiencing hard times, knowing just how it feels to be at the receiving end of the same blessing. 
     I appreciate the time it took to read through this request. If anything you read has impacted you, I ask that you would act on it by making a donation. Any size donation will be greatly appreciated.  If you are unable to donate at this time, perhaps you could pass this along to your social media contacts, family, friends, and work associates. Chances are, you know someone who connects with my story and is in a position to offer support. There are three buttons at the top of the page that you can hit, which will help me out. “Facebook share”, “Tweet”, and “Donate”. Whichever button you choose to hit, I would love to hear from you. I’ve given you a glimpse into my world and I’d love to know who I connected with. Please post a comment to this page or on Facebook. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

 

~ Janel Marie Martinez