Feed the Firsts Napa
We are a small group of local Napa residents who wish to do something to show our appreciation for the men and women who have put themselves in harm's way.
*Update: Thanks to your generosity, we raised more than enough money to cover the cost of the first event. The FeedTheFirsts October event fed 800+ First Responders directly and through delivered meals.
We now need to reimburse Justin-Sienna High School for the use of their kitchen and pay back several vendors who paid for food, beverages, and supplies.
We reached out to several non-profit groups including the Napa Community Fund, and Rotary Club, as well as several local banks in hopes that one would step-up to receive, manage and distribute the funds so that we could hold another event. No one wanted to manage the money so we will now (as mentioned in our story below) withdraw the funds to one of our own business accounts. In order to withdraw the funds within the GoFundMe timeline, Ring of Fire Catering (the folks who had this idea in the first place) will withdraw the funds and reimburse those who have presented us with a receipt for expenses.
Whats Next? The Napa Complex Fires not only destroyed property and displaced people, but they also disrupted our local economy in a big way. Restaurants have seen a drop in reservations largely in part due to some negative (in our opinion) stories in the media and local businesses have seen a decline in sales and foot-traffic. While the effort is underway to remedy this, the financial recovery is slow.
We can help change that and still provide our first responders with a great meal!
Our plan is to use any remaining funds to purchase gift cards, food items, and gift certificates from locally owned Napa restaurants, cafe's, and businesses, negatively affected by the fires. These food-related Gift Boxes, Gift Baskets, and Thank You Gift Cards allow us to fulfill the mission of Feeding The Firsts and express Napa Valley's gratitude.
In the weeks after we are able to withdraw the funds from this campaign, local non-profit TeensConnectNapa.org will help distribute these Holiday Gifts of Thanks to First Responders including local Police, Fire, Sherrif, and support personnel. They will get a much-deserved meal and a night out on the town, and our local economy will get a much-needed financial boost.
Thank you for helping Feed The Firsts.
- Dom Moreci
Original Story Below
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This is a chance for those of us in Napa to give thanks and come together as a community by providing a great meal to the First Responders and Emergency Personnel who have been working so hard to battle the many fires in the Napa Valley.
We will provide this meal free of charge to all first responders (Police, Sheriff, CHP, Fire, EMT, Medical Teams) and those who have lost their homes or businesses.
Learn more at www.FeedTheFirsts.org
The NEXT Feed the Firsts event is currently bewing planned! We will host another even in the next 2-3 weeks.
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Who we are: Napa Locals
Jeni Olsen: Executive Director, Teens Connect
Colin McCluskey & Gabe Meyers: Ring of Fire Napa Catering
Marissa Amador, owner/ proprietor MadoroM Vineyards
Molly Towey-Donohoe: Parent of Ryley, Conner & Barrett, Vallergas Mkt/Food Fair groceryclerk
Dom Moreci: Plumbline Creative
Justin-Siena High School (Hosting)
AAA Insurance (Sponsor)
Tapp Label Co. (Sponsor)
Our Relationship to the parties: We are all beneficiaries of the hard work from the Frist Responders. And we want to show our gratitude.
How the funds will be spent: We need to raise money the raw cost of food and beverages. Ring-of-Fire Catering will cook up some amazing food on site.
How we will distribute the money: Money raised will go into an account set up by us or into one of our own business accounts and checks will be written to retailers and vendors for food and supplies.
