Responding to growing needs resulting from the CZU Lightning Complex Fire and COVID-19 pandemic, two nonprofits, 1440 Multiversity and Operation BBQ Relief, have begun a two-week partnership as of Sept. 1, to support the Santa Cruz County evacuees ravaged by wildfire with three nutritious meals a day.
Operation BBQ Relief – a nonprofit disaster relief organization that deploys into stricken communities to feed displaced residents and first responders – will provide resources for 1440 Multiversity staff to prepare more than 5,000 meals each week for several churches and emergency response organizations serving those in need.
“1440 Multiversity has dedicated its work to creating hope for living well, and together with our friends at Operation BBQ Relief, we are proud to establish a partnership to help sustain and nourish members of our community who might otherwise go hungry,” said Joanie and Scott Kriens, co-creators of 1440 Multiversity. “We are grateful that our campus has this opportunity to express an authentic love for others through the generous resources provided by Operation BBQ Relief to meet the needs of Santa Cruz County.”
Using its “food is medicine” approach, both hot and cold meals are prepared by members of the 1440 Multiversity culinary team at Kitchen Table, the heart of the nonprofit philanthropic campus. Following each daily meal preparation, the meals are hand-packaged to-go and picked up by the receiving organization three times per day to optimize food quality. The partnership with Operation BBQ Relief, with supporting efforts by the City of Scotts Valley, will enable these organizations in need to secure the most nutritious meals they can for fire evacuees and first responders.
“Operation BBQ Relief is proud to team with 1440 Multiversity to share the one hot meal that matters to families affected by the wildfires,” said Jarrid Collins, chief programs officer of Operation BBQ Relief. “A hot meal provides sustenance, hope and compassion. We are honored to work with an organization that helps provide nutritious meals to the community while also providing hope during these devastating times.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 1440 Multiversity proactively suspended all public and private events on campus out of concern for public health and safety, temporarily moving its educational and well-being offerings to the 1440 Multiversity Online Learning platform.
Opened in 2017, 1440 Multiversity is a modern learning destination that supports conversations that matter and inner fitness work to expand personal and professional development with an emphasis on health, wellness, belonging and unity to create hope for living well.
“1440 Multiversity is proud to answer the call to be of service during these most difficult times for those in need,” said Frank Ashmore, managing director of 1440 Multiversity. “Together with Operation BBQ Relief, and in partnership and with the support of our committed city officials in Scotts Valley, we are humbled to do our part in community building, just as so many other people and organizations have done both locally and around the country.”