Mac and cheese food truck creates jobs for disabled adults
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Richie Olopade has a smile built for customer service and that is what he delivers.
"The key to customer service is making sure the customer feels welcome," the 23-year-old from Indianapolis said, grinning as he stands near the Cheese and Thank You food truck where he's worked for about a month.
This macaroni-and-cheese food truck serves up gooey comfort food for about $7 a bowl while simultaneously launching new careers for folks with disabilities.
Behind the scenes, this truck is a job program giving work experience to people with intellectual problems. The workers are people who, because of their social and mental challenges, may have a difficult time interviewing for jobs and getting hired.
"This is an amazing way for people in the community to be involved with people with disabilities and realize they have tons of ability," said Allison Wharry, the Chief Executive Officer for New Hope of Indiana.
New Hope of Indiana, a nonprofit that's been helping people with disabilities since 1978, launched the Cheese and Thank You food truck in July.
The menu is simple. Macaroni and cheese is $5 a bowl. Add $2 for a topping of pulled pork, Buffalo chicken or bacon. It's $1 for bottled water or a fresh-baked cookie.
The food is great (this reporter recommends the pulled pork mac and cheese).
Donors including Pearson Ford, Kroger and Old National Bank Foundation gave New Hope the nearly $70,000 to purchase the food truck. The truck costs about $9,000 a month to operate.
Cheese and Thank You has not yet turned a profit in the month it's been running, but Wharry said she isn't concerned.
The real goal, Wharry said, is to help the employees by smoothing what's often a difficult transition from high school to the working world.
"Just like all students leaving high school, they were unsure of what they wanted to do next," Wharry said. "We were looking for unique opportunities for these young adults."
Finding a job is a major challenge for people with disabilities. The national unemployment rate was about 3.7% in 2018, but it was 8% for those with disabilities.
"It's harder for us special needs kids to find a job," said Eli Huff, 23, another worker on the food truck. "Some people don't understand our disabilities and stuff like that."
They are dependable, hardworking and great with customers, New Hope staff say.
Kathy Ballard, administrator of the food truck program, hopes Cheese and Thank You changes minds as it feeds hungry guests.
"This is an opportunity to be in the community and demonstrate what people with disabilities can do," Ballard said.
"We're trying to send the message that we're all more alike than we are different."
In its short time on the road, Cheese and Thank You has developed a devoted lunchtime following. On Mondays, guests can find the truck parked near the New Hope offices, 3901 W. 86th St.
Follow Cheese and Thank You daily schedule and locations on Facebook (facebook.com/cheeseandthanks), Instagram (@saycheeseindy) and its website (cheeseandthankyou.org).
On Sept. 6, it was parked on Ohio Street near the Marion County Prosecutor's Office and sold out within an hour.
Three young people with disabilities work on the truck under the guidance of an experienced manager. They prepare the food, serve the customers, run the cash register and clean up when the day is over.
This is a one-year program that ends when winter comes.
With New Hope's help, Cheese and Thank You's employees will prepare their resumes, go on interviews and perhaps land permanent jobs in culinary services or other industries.
Huff said he has more confidence now and plans to find another job when his food truck time comes to an end.
There's a feeling of pride that comes with working and earning a paycheck. Huff doesn't have to rely on money from his loved ones.
Work, he said, means freedom.
"At least I get to have my own money," Huff said.
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Source: The Indianapolis Star
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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com