UMOM Expands Services

UMOM New Day Centers’ Helpings Café is partnering with Maricopa County to support the homeless community outside of UMOM’s normal reach. The café is UMOM’s social enterprise that uses its profits to fund programs and supportive services for those experiencing homelessness.

In mid-May, Helpings Café began providing meals to approximately 80 individuals who are temporarily housed in downtown Phoenix to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The collaboration between Maricopa County and Helpings Café delivers nutritious prepackaged meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, and brunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.

A total of 1,520 meals per week are provided to the county shelter in addition to the existing 6,000 meals prepared for UMOM clients. Meal items provided include freshly baked muffins, house-made granola, fruit salad, sandwiches, salads and hot meals such as enchiladas, curry chicken, pork stew, rice and seasonal vegetables.

“All of us at UMOM New Day Centers are committed to our mission of ending homelessness,” says Dina Altieri, UMOM’s director of culinary enterprises. “Our kitchen team is honored to collaborate with community partners to provide food for the most vulnerable in Maricopa County.”

PHOTO COURTESY UMOM