SALT LAKE CITY -- A local group of do-gooders is growing: The Burrito Project Salt Lake City is a group of cyclists who bring hot burritos to the homeless three days a week, and more and more local businesses are hearing of the great cause and getting involved.
Jorge Fierro is where the Burrito Project Salt Lake City began. The Mexican immigrant turned American entrepreneur is the CEO of Rico Brand Foods and Frida Bistro.
“I want to make sure that I pay forward the blessings that have been given,” Fierro said.
And he has; three days a week, the Burrito Project SLC rolls and delivers more than 1,000 warm burritos, as well as water, to the local homeless community.
“It’s tough out there, and often times they really don’t get to eat anything,” Fierro said.
In the past few months, more and more local businesses have gotten involved with the cause. Marissa Villasenor, spokeswoman for University of Utah Healthcare, said they noticed an opportunity to help expand the effort.
“The volunteers that participate in this use their own bikes and a lot of time they don’t have their own bikes to use, so it kind of drains them and they can’t do much,” she said. “So we thought, OK, let’s team up with Contender Bikes and give these bikes to make sure they’re getting the burritos and food out to Utahns.”
U of U Healthcare got local bike shop Contender Bicycles to donate four bikes to the project, so more volunteers could contribute. Company officials then decided to donate eight more.
Volunteer Rachel Potts said she is glad to be involved.
“It makes me feel like I’m doing something,” she said. “Like, I can’t save the world, but I can feed people.”
The Burrito Project in Salt Lake City is in need of volunteers, whether you’ve got a bike or need to borrow one, they can help you and they need your help. To sign up, visit their Facebook page and get involved!
