As the pandemic reached the states, fear of the worst brought out the best in leaders throughout our Dayton region. In mid-March, Chef Matt DeAngulo asked friend and 501c3 Set the Banquet Table Chairman, Bill Evans, the best way to help. A couple of conversations more and Chef Matt and former colleague, Amanda DeLotelle, had activated a team of recently unemployed chefs and culinary professionals to assist by quickly and efficiently bulk preparing nutritious food - calling the group, Miami Valley Meals.
At the same time, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership — a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency — had been notified that it was receiving a multi-million dollar allocation from the first Community Services Block Grant CARES Act dollars to respond to community needs. CAP sought input from several different community agencies about the most serious need and it was decided that food was the most critical.
Word spread about the Miami Valley Meals project and through an East End Services connection, Miami Valley Meals was introduced to and shortly after, funded by, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership utilizing Community Services Block Grant CARES Act dollars for a minimum of one year.
In an unprecedented fashion, many organizations banded together to support the efforts of Miami Valley Meals through resources, guidance, financial support and marketing. This community impact cooperative came to call ourselves, the MVM Coalition.
