Tacombi does not open until August 7.
But the much-anticipated restaurant has already made a great impression on Westport.
Tacombi Community Kitchen launched in 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. The goal was to provide food relief in New York City, where the restaurant began.
Today, under the auspices of the 501(c)(3) Tacombi Foundation, it provides over 9,000 meals weekly out of all 16 taquerias, in New York, Miami and Washington, DC.
They’ve given away over 750,000 meals to people in need. Each one is prepared specifically to be donated, with the same care as meals served to customers.
On Friday, Tacombi brought their generosity to Westport. They donated 50 meals to clients at Homes with Hope‘s Gillespie Center and Westport Community Kitchen. They gave another 200 to other area organizations.
Tacombi meals, in the Homes with Hope kitchen.
“This is amazing,” says Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden.
“They are a truly welcomed partner to Westport. Our clients loved the food!”
Friday’s delivery was just the start. Tacombi will continue to provide Homes with Hope with 50 meals a week.
Imagine what they’ll do for the town once they’re actually in business here.
FUN FACT: The name “Tacombi” is a combination of “taco” and “combi” — what Mexicans call a VW bus. The restaurant started as a retrofitted combi, serving as a food truck selling tacos on the beaches at Playa del Carmen.
It’s been a big — and hopeful — few days for Homes with Hope. Yesterday, 4 important groups — Sunrise Rotary, the Westport Rotary Club, Westport Police Department and Saugatuck Rowing Club — joined forces at Stop & Shop for a perishable food collection.
Some folks donated cash. Others picked up a flyer listing most-needed items, purchased them, and dropped them off as they left.
One family — a woman and 2 young sons — came for only one reason: to shop for the Gillespie Center.
“How generous!” McAlinden says.
The generosity continued all day long. Homes with Hope thanks the hundreds of donors and volunteers who stood outside for hours in the heat.
In a town with plenty, there are plenty who give back.
Rob Hauck of Sunrise Rotary with a cart full of groceries, donated by a woman and her sons.
(Homes with Hope can always use help. Click here for information on its food pantry needs; click here for information on all its programs.)
How inspiring, generous and thoughtful! Thank you Tacombi and welcome to Westport! Thank You also to other volunteers and donors.