GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Chef Hank Reid retired just a few years ago but said that didn't stop his desire to feed people. So, in 2019, he launched the nonprofit Lettum Eat! to make sure no one goes hungry in Gwinnett County.
“We use a professional food service platform to minister to those in need and those suffering with food insecurities," Chef Hank explained.
Reid said the name for his nonprofit came about from his time working in a kitchen.
“Lettum Eat is kind of a call or statement we use in the kitchen to say 'Hey, your food is ready' or 'Hey, we're ready,'" Reid said.
Since 2019, Chef Hank's nonprofit has fed over 300,000 people in the community, and he said he's ready to feed even more this year.
Reid recently purchased three trailers from Gwinnett County Schools that he is working on converting into kitchens. Once complete, he plans to place them in strategic areas of the county to reach the most food-insecure communities.
“The plan is having a really nice deck around the outside, so we have events and let people in so they can experience more of a restaurant-type vibe with an outdoor feel and things of that nature," Reid said.
The chef said it's all about creating an atmosphere to change the stigma surrounding food insecurities.
“There’s a stigma of shame that’s usually associated with receiving help so we try to do everything on our end to make that look different and make that look festive," Reid added.
Reid hopes to have the trailers complete and operating as soon as possible. One of three trailers is fully funded, but he is still working to raise $350,000 to finish the other two trailers.