FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Fayetteville is known for some award-winning restaurants with upscale experiences. However, for some people in the area, eating five-star meals may not be so accessible.
MayDay NWA, a community organization based in Fayetteville, understands the need for hot meals.
“A lot of us have struggled to get food,” co-organizer with MayDay Rachel Anderson said.
Inspired by other organizers in the area, the organization wanted to make a small difference to the community, but a big one for the people. Now, MayDay NWA is making that possible.
It all started with one man in the fine dining industry, Alex Tripodi, who was laid off temporarily during the pandemic and began delivering meals door-to-door for his closest friends.
“My solace came through cooking,” Tripodi said.
Instead of creating dishes for an upscale restaurant, he started cooking meals for the community. But, it wasn’t just his idea.
“My brilliant partner had the idea of doing this once a week,” Tripodi said.
This added factor brought more volunteers including Vai Talau, whose introduction to MayDay started with a donation.
“I started donating and then that turned into me cooking with them every Monday," Talau said.
Now the group meets every week to cook at Atlas The Restaurant in Fayetteville, where dishes are inspired by Executive Chef Elliot Hunt's "culinary journey across six continents," the restaurant's website says.
At Atlas, chefs cooking for MayDay are granted access to all equipment and counter space they need. They can create a new item every week for anyone who comes to Walker Park in Fayetteville, where MayDay NWA serves up dishes in the heart of the city for anyone in need of a meal.
“They picked Walker Park because it's a nice medium for all the people that we serve,” Talau said.
The group serves upwards of 50 people each week and continues to do so even when volunteers are low, every Monday.
Their mission is completely grassroots, and MayDay partners with other organizations to help craft their meals. Saint James Food Pantry is an organization that allows MayDay to take any food items needed for the Monday meal, free of charge.
Monique Jones with Saint James said they are more than happy to help.
“It means a lot for us to help individuals more than just the regular food pantry.”
With the many community groups and volunteers making it possible, it all boils down to giving back.
Anderson said what started as a kind gesture to close friends, now impacts people who crave a hot meal most.
“We all need to eat. I’ve got this food here to share, let's all share, let's be actual community members with each other,” Anderson said.
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