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WHAT WE DO.
Cook It Forward is a non-profit advocacy arm of Rule No One Hospitality, Inc. with a mission to address ongoing inequities in our food systems.
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We are all working collectively on social entrepreneurship, social equity, and social justice-- one meal at a time.
Christine Ameigh, Owner of Christine's Kitchen and Slide Food Cart & Catering
*NEW - The WI Restaurant Revitalization Fund Giveback Campaign
STARTED JULY 2021 - PRESENT
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Cook It Forward is raising funds for WI-based "priority" restaurants owned by women, people of color and military veterans who were notified by the SBA in writing that they would receive Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, but whose payments were halted on June 14th following the outcome of lawsuits in Texas and Tennessee that barred the SBA from distributing grants on the basis of race and sex.
Funding Goal: We seek to help fund all minority-owned WI-based businesses who were notified by the SBA in writing that they would receive Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, but whose payments were halted on June 14th, 2021.
Cook It Forward is starting our fundraising in Madison, with the intention to concentrate on Milwaukee and possibly other parts of the state thereafter. We have isolated CocoVaa Chocolatier and Christine’s Kitchen in Madison as our first candidates to allocate donated funds. Additional funds pledged leftover will be used as seed money to fund Black-owned hospitality businesses, chosen by the recipients of these funds.
Funding:
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Current RRF Recipients: We invite and urge recipients of RRF funds in Wisconsin to pledge an amount equal to 3% of their grant to CIF. To donate, please click here for more information.
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Individual Donations - Cook It Forward is accepting donations from individuals and businesses here via credit card. Click here to send a check.
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Corporate Donations - We are accepting corporate donations to raise funds. Contact us here.
Current Donating Restaurants
BelAir Cantina Madison, Ian's Pizza (Capital Square), Merchant, Sardine
The Cook It Forward Network Campaign - Fighting Food Insecurity
STARTED JUNE 2020 - ENDED JULY 2021
Cook It Forward partnered with Francesca Hong, (Chef/Co-Owner, Morris Ramen, State Representative) and Alnisa Allgood (Executive Director, Collaboration for Good) to develop an end-to-end distribution network to tackle food insecurity in Madison. Participating restaurants and local nonprofit partners produced and distributed portable healthy, fresh meals for insecure families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Last-mile distribution partners ensured that the growing number of individuals and families who needed the food, and without recourse to access it, received it.
Key Funding Goals & Measures:
$110,000 Raised by Individual donations and over $250,000 though corporate donations and grants
Program Goals & Measures:
# of Free Meals Delivered by Participating Restaurants: 26,499
# of Households Served: 462
# of Independent Restaurant Partners: 16
# of Participating Distribution Sites: 4
# of Last Mile Delivery Providers: 5
$ (Est) food purchased from farms, producers and distributors: $88,242
$ CIF Paid to Last Mile Distributors: $102,502 (80% Black and Brown-led)
Operating Partners
Operating Partners: Collaboration for Good, Inc.
Collaboration for Good Executive Director Alnisa Allgood
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Collab4Good provided targeted capacity building services for our food insecurity campaign, including communication and coordination with direct response providers— nonprofits and programs— who represent and work with the unmet food demand.
Restaurant Partners
Independent and locally-owned restaurants that share values of Inclusivity, Community, Industry, Humility, Positivity, Health, and Safety. The starting roster includes: Ahan, Ancora Coffee, Banzo, Casetta Kitchen and Counter, D'VINO, Green Owl Cafe, Harvest, La Kitchenette, Lucille, Madtown Food Services, Merchant, Morris Ramen, Pasture & Plenty, The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant.
