- B
- N
- S
Help Us With Our Little Food Truck
For those of you that do not know us, we are Manuel and Teresa Salgado. We have lived in Rockford Illinois our whole lives. Been married for 16 years. It's been a crazy ride and this year made it worse than ever before. So in an effort to make things better for ourselves and those around us, we want to start our food truck.
About Us
I, Manuel, have been in the restaurant industry for a long time. I spent 13 years in fine dining restaurants and 3 in institutional kitchens. Born in Chicago Illinois to a single mother that moved us to Rockford when I was a child. She was a hardworking lady, that also spent a long time cooking for some of Rockford's best Italian restaurants. I like to learn as much as possible about my culture(Mexican) and those around me, usually through food. I love to give back to my community because I love it here and I'm working as much as I can to make it a better place.
Teresa, also born here in Rockford. Has a similar story in many ways. She learned her hard work ethics in Phantom Regiment where she participated for 9 years. She currently works at Frito Lay as an admin and has been there for 10 years.
We have no children so we like to work hard and travel often. We travel for food, recipes, and culture hoping to bring back something positive every time. We also love to get involved as much as possible and not just in Rockford, but in the tri-state area.
Currently
When we didn't have the capital to start our restaurant 8 years ago we started doing advertising and promotions. It kept going well for us, so we officially started Majestic Media. Everything was going ok until Covid hit. A big portion of our clients were restauranteurs. So along with many of them, we had to close down.
MASA
Meanwhile, we also started a non-profit called MASA 3 years ago and that took a big hit because our largest fundraisers are events and we couldn't have those this year(Tamale Fest of Rockford, Cinco On State, Kahlaca Fest, & La Pastorela). So we've been putting our money into the organization. Usually, that's not a problem if business is good. But It's not. so we've been surviving on our savings and credit cards and are close to diminishing the last of our savings.
SO WHAT NOW?
Two years ago we found a food truck. Something just small enough for our little dream of getting me back in the kitchen. We have been looking for this for over 6 years. I knew exactly what year and type of truck I wanted and we finally found it. We found it just on the Indiana border and found out it had been bought in St. Louis. When we were looking at it I noticed it had a sticker with an 815 area code phone number. Turns out it was at one time an ice cream truck in Loves Park. It was a sign. So we brought her home.
At the time we had the savings to get it going but everything else was taking up all of our time. So we worked on it a little but not a lot. We made sure it ran and that's about it. So it sat and the condition got even worse.
All it needs is just a little more elbow grease cosmetically and all the equipment I need to cook.
OUR GOAL
Is to raise enough money to make this dream a reality. To get the food truck going sell our Tamales on weekends and special events. We would also use it as a tool to inspire kids in our youth mentorship program. Basically, we want to be able to work part-time and pay the bills so we still have enough time to be involved and help our community. If this is something that can bring Teresa to work on it full time then that would be an added bonus.
THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN!
We have gotten a few estimates and the bodywork and paint job are going to run about nine to ten thousand dollars. That's if everything goes according to plan. Then all the equipment needed is another ten thousand. Some new wheels would be nice but we can make do with any help you give.
Since many might be asking why don't we just pull a loan or something like that well the answer is simple. Being that we are involved in the community people always tell us to never hesitate to ask. This is us asking. No matter what we will make this happen it would just be nice to have the support of our loved ones.
If you can donate we thank you with all of our hearts.
If you cant because times are tough then I understand trust me I know it rough out there. We simply ask you to at least hit share.
Until next time!
#LovePeaceNTamaleGrease
-Manny
For those of you that do not know us, we are Manuel and Teresa Salgado. We have lived in Rockford Illinois our whole lives. Been married for 16 years. It's been a crazy ride and this year made it worse than ever before. So in an effort to make things better for ourselves and those around us, we want to start our food truck.
About Us
I, Manuel, have been in the restaurant industry for a long time. I spent 13 years in fine dining restaurants and 3 in institutional kitchens. Born in Chicago Illinois to a single mother that moved us to Rockford when I was a child. She was a hardworking lady, that also spent a long time cooking for some of Rockford's best Italian restaurants. I like to learn as much as possible about my culture(Mexican) and those around me, usually through food. I love to give back to my community because I love it here and I'm working as much as I can to make it a better place.
Teresa, also born here in Rockford. Has a similar story in many ways. She learned her hard work ethics in Phantom Regiment where she participated for 9 years. She currently works at Frito Lay as an admin and has been there for 10 years.
We have no children so we like to work hard and travel often. We travel for food, recipes, and culture hoping to bring back something positive every time. We also love to get involved as much as possible and not just in Rockford, but in the tri-state area.
Currently
When we didn't have the capital to start our restaurant 8 years ago we started doing advertising and promotions. It kept going well for us, so we officially started Majestic Media. Everything was going ok until Covid hit. A big portion of our clients were restauranteurs. So along with many of them, we had to close down.
MASA
Meanwhile, we also started a non-profit called MASA 3 years ago and that took a big hit because our largest fundraisers are events and we couldn't have those this year(Tamale Fest of Rockford, Cinco On State, Kahlaca Fest, & La Pastorela). So we've been putting our money into the organization. Usually, that's not a problem if business is good. But It's not. so we've been surviving on our savings and credit cards and are close to diminishing the last of our savings.
SO WHAT NOW?
Two years ago we found a food truck. Something just small enough for our little dream of getting me back in the kitchen. We have been looking for this for over 6 years. I knew exactly what year and type of truck I wanted and we finally found it. We found it just on the Indiana border and found out it had been bought in St. Louis. When we were looking at it I noticed it had a sticker with an 815 area code phone number. Turns out it was at one time an ice cream truck in Loves Park. It was a sign. So we brought her home.
At the time we had the savings to get it going but everything else was taking up all of our time. So we worked on it a little but not a lot. We made sure it ran and that's about it. So it sat and the condition got even worse.
All it needs is just a little more elbow grease cosmetically and all the equipment I need to cook.
OUR GOAL
Is to raise enough money to make this dream a reality. To get the food truck going sell our Tamales on weekends and special events. We would also use it as a tool to inspire kids in our youth mentorship program. Basically, we want to be able to work part-time and pay the bills so we still have enough time to be involved and help our community. If this is something that can bring Teresa to work on it full time then that would be an added bonus.
THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN!
We have gotten a few estimates and the bodywork and paint job are going to run about nine to ten thousand dollars. That's if everything goes according to plan. Then all the equipment needed is another ten thousand. Some new wheels would be nice but we can make do with any help you give.
Since many might be asking why don't we just pull a loan or something like that well the answer is simple. Being that we are involved in the community people always tell us to never hesitate to ask. This is us asking. No matter what we will make this happen it would just be nice to have the support of our loved ones.
If you can donate we thank you with all of our hearts.
If you cant because times are tough then I understand trust me I know it rough out there. We simply ask you to at least hit share.
Until next time!
#LovePeaceNTamaleGrease
-Manny