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Food with Dignity

Sharing our superpower of human connection through food and service.

$31,465
pledged of$50,000 goal
118
0Days Left

Project Description

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For the last 15 years, The Red Door (TRD) has been a premier, full-service catering company in the Bay Area, creating unique and memorable experiences that bring people together over fresh, locally-sourced, sustainable, and gourmet comfort food. Our Core Values of Service, Teamwork, Diversity, Inclusion, and Fun have supported our staff and benefited our clients and can be seen in all facets of who we are and what we do.

And then all of a sudden, our lives drastically changed as COVID-19 became a reality and a shelter-in-place order went into effect. TRD’s calendar went from being fully-booked to totally empty. What could we do with our dedicated team of chefs and event designers and our 5,000 square foot state-of-the-art commercial kitchen? 

We could lay off the staff who had become a family, close our business which took 15 years of hard work to build, and watch people in our community struggle with the realities of COVID-19…

…Or we could be a part of creating a solution. 

So we traded our tuxedos and stilettos for cargo pants and Converse. We realized that everything we bring to the table for weddings, galas, and events could and should be repurposed for our vulnerable neighbors. And with that, TRD began cooking, packaging, and delivering chef-quality meals made with ingredients from our favorite local suppliers -- with dignity and a smile for those who need it most. We now serve over 3,500 meals weekly through partnerships with several non-profits in the region. This has been a good start, but we also came to realize it will not be enough to keep the lights on, keep our staff employed, and support the community.

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    We are asking for $50,000 to sustain our operations through the summer so that we can:

    1. Continue to serve 3,500 meals weekly to the most vulnerable residents of the Bay Area 
    2. Keep our staff employed full-time
    3. Cover operational expenses
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    Help TRD transition from the thriving business it has been to the TRD that is needed now. Our ability to serve those most affected by COVID-19 is dependent on your support and investment. Donate today.

    Your gift will have an immediate impact:

    • Feed 10 people for $150
    • Feed 20 people for $ 300
    • Feed 50 people for $ 500
    • Feed 50 people and cover delivery $750
    • Feed 100 people $1000
    • Feed 100 families for a month $5000

    We cannot wait to once again open our red door and share our dining table with you. But until then, we thank you for helping us feed the people.

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    Reign has been in the kitchen since she was 9 years old, when she used to sit on a stool beside her mother cooking traditional West Indian dishes for her extended family. Food and its beautiful preparation and presentation were a sacred trust in her family and their love language to all who joined their dining table. Reign learned at a young age the power of producing food with love and dignity -- cooking and community are in her blood. College took her from the Midwest to New Orleans’ Dillard University where she earned a degree in public health. While in the Big Easy, her love of cooking found new expression in the home of Creole cuisine. Her Caribbean roots join French, Pan-Asian, and Low Country influences to present explosive flavor combinations, imaginative menus, and the best comfort food this side of your grandmother’s dining room table. Reign founded The Red Door Catering 15 years ago, with the intention of manifesting her client's vision and making it look effortless. In a world where interpersonal connection is becoming more and more electronic, TRD has provided delicious food and beautiful dining experiences so that our clients could savor each moment and maximize their most precious resource: their time together.

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    The Campaign FAQs

     

    Who is Red Door Catering? TRD is a full-service catering company in the Bay Area.

    Who owns Red Door Catering? TRD is a 100% minority woman owned business, founded by Reign Free in 2006.

    Who does Red Door Catering employ? TRD employs local diverse chefs and event designers. All TRD staff are paid a livable wage.

    How will the money raised be spent? All money raised will be used to pay our overhead expenses and payroll so our staff can continue serving persons impacted by COVID-19.

    Does Red Door Catering already help the community? Yes, social good is a core value at TRD. In addition to serving 3,500 meals per week since the shelter-in-place went into effect, we also provide meals to unsheltered residents and first responders.

    Who are Red Door Catering’s typical clients?

    Afrotech

    AirBnb

    Blavity, Inc.

    Blue Shield

    Charles Schwab

    City of Oakland, Office of the Mayor

    Deloitte Consulting

    Facebook

    Gainsight

    Genentech

    Golden State Warriors

    Google

    Inner City Advisory

    Kaiser Permanente Hospital

    Kazan, McClain, Lyons, & Greenwood

    Lexus of Oakland

    Louis Vuitton

    McMullen

    MOAD (Museum of the African Diaspora)

    Oakland Athletics

    Oakland Raiders

    Obama Foundation

    Salesforce

    Stanford University

    Stella and Dot, LLC

    Twitter

    University of California, Berkeley

     

    Learn more about The Red Door Catering at www.reddoorcatering.com.

     

    Chika Obih
    07/24/2020
    Feed 10 people
    $150
    Gordon Greenwood
    07/24/2020
    Monetary Contribution
    $1,000
    Michelle Austin
    07/21/2020
    Monetary Contribution
    $720
    David Gard
    07/21/2020
    Monetary Contribution ($50.00)
    $50
    Maile Trapani @ Exploratorium
    07/20/2020
    Monetary Contribution ($50.00)
    $50
    07/20/2020
    Monetary Contribution
    $20
    Ryen Roberson-Watt
    07/20/2020
    Monetary Contribution ($100.00)
    $100
    Lila Owens
    07/20/2020
    Feed 20 people
    $300
    Lilly Ayers
    07/20/2020
    Monetary Contribution ($50.00)
    $50
    Erin Vigil
    07/19/2020
    Monetary Contribution ($50.00)
    $50
    Monetary Contribution

    Just Because I Care

    57 Supporters
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    50.00 USD
    Monetary Contribution ($50.00)

    Just because I care

    19 Supporters
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    100.00 USD
    Monetary Contribution ($100.00)

    Just because I care

    15 Supporters
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    300.00 USD
    Feed 20 people

    Just because I care

    14 Supporters
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    750.00 USD
    Feed 50 people and cover delivery

    Just because I care

    1 Supporter
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    1,000.00 USD
    Feed 100 people

    Just because I care

    1 Supporter
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    5,000.00 USD
    Feed 100 families for a month

    I'm an ambassador for change!

    1 Supporter
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    About the Entrepreneur

    Oakland, CA
    Created 1 Campaign
    Social Good

    Rewards

    Monetary Contribution

    Just Because I Care

    57 Supporters
    Select this reward
    50.00 USD
    Monetary Contribution ($50.00)

    Just because I care

    19 Supporters
    Select this reward
    100.00 USD
    Monetary Contribution ($100.00)

    Just because I care

    15 Supporters
    Select this reward
    300.00 USD
    Feed 20 people

    Just because I care

    14 Supporters
    Select this reward
    750.00 USD
    Feed 50 people and cover delivery

    Just because I care

    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    1,000.00 USD
    Feed 100 people

    Just because I care

    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    5,000.00 USD
    Feed 100 families for a month

    I'm an ambassador for change!

    1 Supporter
    Select this reward