LAYTON — A Layton food truck will receive a new look, just days after it was vandalized with anti-Asian, racist messages.
The owners of the Yum Yum Food Truck, Brevin Pierce and his father Ben, shared images on Facebook of what the vehicle will look like after it is "wrapped" at Identity Graphx.
On Wednesday evening, the vintage, black food truck sat parked in a garage at Gorilla Shine in Layton. Maria Rivera, owner of the detail shop at Gorilla Shine, did a final walk-through with Brevin to show him everything they deep cleaned that day.
The detail and clean came after someone spray-painted the truck with graffiti featuring anti-Asian hate messages. Yum Yum Food Truck has been serving Filipino food all over the Salt Lake area for almost a year.
Rivera said she is Puerto Rican, with diverse family members. Hearing about what happened to the Pierce family really hurt.
"It doesn't matter your skin color or what nationality you are, we're all human, we all bleed the same," Rivera said. "It was a blessing God allowed us to do this."
Brevin and Ben were blown away with the person who insisted on paying for that detail job.
"It kind of shocked me at first... Jordan Clarkson called and I was like, 'Wow this is real, and it’s getting really big now,'" Brevin said.
Brevin said he looks up to the Utah Jazz player, who is Filipino-American. He also couldn't believe Clarkson would reach out during such a busy week for the team.
"I feel bad, because Jordan Clarkson-- he needs to focus on winning. We want to go to the finals this year," Brevin said, with a laugh.
"It hurt me deeply to see that Salt Lake’s @YumYumAsian food truck was recently vandalized – I know the pain that hateful language and racism causes," Clarkson tweeted Wednesday, adding that he hopes to help restore the truck and "hopefully lift Ben and his family’s spirit!!"
On Wednesday, Layton Police offered a $500 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of those who committed the acts of vandalism. Police said they are investigating it as a hate crime, which would enhance the charges the people responsible could face.
Early morning June 6th offensive racist messages were painted on the passenger side of this truck.We are offering a $500 reward for information which leads to the arrest of those responsible. If you have any information about this case, please message us or call 801-497-8300. pic.twitter.com/R6F17z3aUq
— Layton Police (@laytonpolice) June 9, 2021
Now that the truck has been detailed inside, it will go to Identity Graphx. The company donated a full outside wrap to the Pierce family free of charge.
Brevin and Ben will hold a grand re-opening for Yum Yum Food Truck Saturday at the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Salt Lake City.
It was hard to accept all the offers for help and the donations, Brevin said. He said they are overwhelmed, and appreciate everyone who has reached out.
To thank the community, Brevin said they plan to hold an event in the future where they will serve everyone for free.
"It has been an emotional few days," the family said, in a Facebook post. "The love and support that we got from all of you has been deeply heartfelt. My family can't thank you guys enough."
