SAVE THE SOUL

Hello friends, friends of friends, fellow entrepreneurs, and all lovers of deliciousness! I hope this finds everyone safe and healthy at home. I would like to thank you all in advance for reading this message: My name is Steve Deangelo. I’m a lifelong local to the Red Bank area.  I’ve always had a little back pocket dream of opening up a grub spot. A little while back, I found the perfect opportunity. A venerated local restaurateur was ready to retire and he wanted me to be the one to fill his shoes (or pots). I spent a full year researching, planning, and scraping together every dime I could muster. I even left my carpentry career, after 16yrs, to chase my dream and open SOUL SANDWICH right in the heart of Red Bank, NJ. At Soul Sandwich, I sling ‘THE FOOD OF THE PEOPLE’!! Fresh homemade soups! Homemade roast beef! Classic dirty water dogs! I even added a wild sandwich menu that reflects all the things I love. However,  the weekly specials are where I really get to do my thing. They can be anything from a dressed up chicken salad, to beer braised brats, burgers, shrimp n grits, meatloaf..... My specials circle the globe. Street/soul food from everywhere you can think of. This is the food of the people and it’s what keeps the planet spinning!     The business got off to a great start about seven months ago and it truly felt like a dream come true! I love being in the shop, cooking, and especially rappin’ with my great customers! As this venture is in its infancy, every dollar I have earned has gone right back into the business. It was really starting to work out! In just a few short months, I had built a great customer base and had tons of dedicated local regulars who visit as often as possible. The business was steadily growing every month, until 3/15/20...          Since the beginning of this pandemic, my business has dropped by nearly 80%, and it's currently drowning. As I’ve only been open a few months, I have not been able to build an emergency fund yet. I have done all I can to promote my weekly delivery service to adapt to the current times, but it’s not enough to cover the bills. I have been fortunate enough to be in the shop a few days a week cooking to supply lunches to our local hospitals and front line employees (nurses, doctors, PD, FD) through a local charity provider.  It feels good to be able to still help those who are risking their own health and safety in our community. Each week, I also take any leftovers from the shop and deliver them to some of my older neighbors whom I know cannot safely get out of the house much these days. I am doing all I can to help this community that helps me!! However, at this time, I am in need of some serious help in order to keep this dream alive, and continue to help out the greater Red Bank community.     Unfortunately, I will NOT be receiving any of the government assistance that we were first promised.  I have applied for numerous loans and grants, but each attempt has been met with failure and frustration.  I write this with a heavy heart, because it is never easy for me to ask anyone for help. However, I am on my last option before this all slips away from me.   I fully understand that times are tough for everyone right now, and many of us aren’t making as much as we’re used to. I don’t want anyone to break the piggy bank, but a contribution of  $20-100 would help keep the dream alive. Any sort of help at this moment would be much appreciated. All donations will go towards my business expenses, which will help me continue to serve my customers, and provide the charities I am working for with nutritious meals and much needed support. I will also do my best  to return this tremendous favor.  Who knows...you might just get a Soul Sandwich t-shirt in the mail when this is all over!  Sorry...sandwiches don’t do so well in the mail!        I truly appreciate you reading this and taking the time to hear my story. Feel free to email @ [email redacted] with any questions THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. STAY SAFE!!! HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE SOON!!!  Much love-  Steve Deangelo Please check out my site by Googling ‘Soul Sandwich’ IG- @soulsandwichnj FB- Soul Sandwich