My Mom's Vegan Vision: A Taste of Hope for Our Community

Hello, everybody! My name is Alani, and I'm reaching out on behalf of my incredible mom, Brittany, the owner of Official Vegans Only in Warrenville, IL. She's a true force of nature, a dedicated entrepreneur, a medical professional, a superhero juggling four kids, a bonus son with autism, and a 1-year-old granddaughter who beat the odds. Driven by her determination, she navigates the complexities of fibromyalgia, all while building her vegan food business and running a medical transportation service. She's been through so much, launching her business just two months before the pandemic hit. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, without any relief funding, she persevered. Participating in catering events and vendor fairs. Now, the demand for her food is higher than ever, and she's ready to take the next monumental step. Unfortunately, while overcoming continued devastating setbacks over the past few years, she has run out of funds and resources to continue her mission and she is doing whatever she can to slowly finalize everything for the opening of our vegan concession trailer.

My mom doesn't just create extraordinary vegan meals, she also works tirelessly in the medical field, transporting patients. This dual commitment truly highlights her dedication to health and well-being, both in the kitchen and on the road. She aims to make a difference in the lives of those around her by promoting healthier lifestyles and a kinder world, truly healing people and the planet. And let me tell you, the vegan meals she creates aren't just healthier for you, you get the familiar taste of all your favorite comfort foods, so you never have to sacrifice flavor to embrace a plant-based diet.

For five years, my mom has poured her heart into planning and preparing for this business. She works harder than anyone I know, from before sunrise at 4 a.m. to well beyond sunset, somehow keeping everything running smoothly. I can't bear the thought of seeing everything she's worked so hard for disappear when she's so incredibly close to reaching this goal. She is a completely selfless person, helping everyone around her and it would feel good to give back to her.

Our Dream: From Food Truck to Restaurant in the Western Suburbs

We're on the cusp of launching the concession trailer, the crucial first step toward a much bigger vision: a brick-and-mortar quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru in an underserved community here in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, focusing on Aurora, IL and its surrounding towns. This isn't just about serving food, it's about addressing a critical need for accessible, healthy, and convenient meal options in areas that have been overlooked.

The trailer is nearly complete – the kitchen looks great and our menu is perfected! But she is at a standstill, needing crucial final funds to make it fully operational. We need to secure essential permits to operate legally, install vital safety features to protect her team and customers, and acquire the necessary supplies to fuel the cooking. We also need to renew trailer registration, outfit the concession trailer with a hitch for carrying extra supplies, and apply the eye-catching vehicle wrap that will make us instantly recognizable as we bring incredible food to your neighborhoods. These aren't just minor details, they're the non-negotiable requirements to get us on the road and serving you. Without these final pieces, my mom's dream remains tantalizingly out of reach, despite everything else being in place.

Why Your Support Matters

Your donation isn't just funding equipment, it's an investment in uplifting the community. It's helping us create jobs, provide nutritious meals where options are scarce, and foster a vibrant gathering space. We've seen firsthand the critical need for accessible, quality vegan food in the Western Suburbs. Imagine a place where busy families, individuals with dietary restrictions, and anyone looking to improve their wellness can easily access healthy, delicious, and convenient vegan meals. My mom's vision is to make this a reality, creating a space where people can gather, share stories, and support one another in their healing journeys.

There's an enormous number of people in the community eagerly waiting for her to open a location. They crave a larger variety of healthier vegan options that are currently hard to find. By helping us launch this trailer, you're directly accelerating our ability to serve these communities now, and building the foundation for that permanent location.

Join The Mission: Nourishing Hearts and Communities

Our immediate goal is to raise $15,000 to cover these crucial final steps for the trailer's launch and to propel us toward the brick-and-mortar dream. Here’s how your contribution will make an immediate and lasting difference:

Permits & Safety: Securing all necessary permits and finish installing essential safety equipment like fire suppression and extinguishers, ensuring we operate legally and responsibly.

Fuel & Mobility: Purchasing essentials like 40lb propane tanks and ensuring both the trailer and transportation vehicle registrations are up-to-date. Along with hitch installation to transport larger cargo making us ready for the road.

Visibility & Expansion Readiness: Funding the vehicle wrap to make us easily recognizable in the community and other miscellaneous functions throughout the trailer (such as the required window screen installed).

Branding: Allocate funds for essential marketing materials like menus, flyers, and enhancing her website for a stronger online presence to announce our grand opening and reach more people.

Operational Essentials: Securing initial inventory, necessary smallwares, and continued coverage of crucial insurance to protect our operations and future patrons.

When you contribute to this campaign, you’re not just donating to a business, you’re investing in a vision of health and connection right here in the Western Suburbs. Your support will enable my mom to continue her mission of healing through food, benefiting countless families and individuals.

How You Can Help

Donate: Every dollar counts. Consider making a $30 contribution to help us reach our goal. Even a small amount makes a huge difference!

Share: Spread the word! Share this campaign with friends, family, and social media to amplify our message and reach those who believe in healthy communities.

Engage: Join us for classes and seminars to support her and learn more about vegan cooking and benefits. Come to our events, try her food, and see firsthand the impact of your support. Provide resources and help build by being hands-on.

As a heartfelt thank you, anyone who donates will receive exclusive discounts and free meals from our trailer and, eventually, our brick-and-mortar location, for a limited time, once we're up and running. This isn't just a transaction, it's a partnership to build something truly special.

Let's come together to support a remarkable woman who has dedicated her life to serving others as she continues to make vegan food accessible to everyone. With your help, we can turn Brittany's vision into a reality. Together, we can heal the community, and create a legacy of health and wellness in the Western Suburbs.

Ready to make a real difference? Invest in a healthier future! Join us and help transform this dream into an essential, long-awaited reality for our community!

Donate today!

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