When in Los Angeles they gave the order to stay home and suspend meetings with more than 10 people due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gonsalo Ibarra had to cancel all the events for which he had been hired with his catering service Jaliscos Mobile Tacos. Grill.

However, his passion for sharing Mexican culture through food took an altruistic turn.
In conversation with their friends, Jazmine Marie Valte and Luca Marino, they joined forces to make a difference during this crisis and created “Taco Tuesday COVID-19 LA Initiative”, a program in which every Tuesday they bring free food to hospital workers.

"We have been seeing many testimonies of these nurses, nurses and people from hospitals who are working so many hours, who do not have time to make food or go to the store, that is why they appreciate what we are doing because it is a necessity for them", Ibarra, who founded this food delivery service 16 years ago, explained to La Opinión.

Since they started this initiative on March 31, they have donated more than 2,000 tacos and visited at least six health centers, including: Keck Medicine of USC, East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital, Childen’s Hospital Los Angeles and Good Samaritan Hospital.

Gonsalo Ibarra (center) founded the food delivery service 16 years ago. / photos: supplied.
Ibarra (right) with his family.

In addition, they already have scheduled visits until May 5, where they will reach hospitals such as Kaiser Permanente, Adventist Health White Memorial and LAC + USC.

"It is a pride for me to offer our help to this community that since one is born, when one becomes ill, is there to offer their services unconditionally … It is a small gesture on my part, because I know that they deserve much more", assured Ibarra about the doctors, nurses, assistants and all health personnel.

Every Tuesday this 50-year-old Mexican man, together with his team prepare food and put 3 tacos on each plate, accompanying them with rice, beans, sauces and the inevitable lemon.

"The goal of each‘ Taco Tuesday ’is to make 1,000 tacos, so we fed at least 335 people that day," said Ibarra, who thought of everything to help health workers.

"We make sure to serve them in a container that can be put in the microwave, not everyone is going to eat at the same time … That way, whenever they want, they can heat them."

The tacos are handed out by volunteers who take them to the hospitals, where the authorized personnel pick them up and distribute them among the workers.

Ibarra opened the doors of his initiative and ensures that they can contact him to give ideas about the places that need more support of this type.

"If someone has a suggestion where there is a need to send us a message and Jazmine is in charge of coordinating so that the food is delivered," he said.

Almost six health centers have already been visited in April.

They need help

In order to continue with this noble work, the “Taco Tuesday COVID-19 LA Initiative” team has created a campaign to receive donations through a website.

"We created a 'GoFund Me' for the community to support us, $ 5 or $ 10, they can help a lot," said event organizer and creator of this initiative, Jazmine Marie Valte.

"I wanted to be active and although I am not making money, I love what we are doing, bringing a bit of gratitude to our heroes, all donations go directly to the cause."
Ibarra, who is happy to be able to donate her art in the kitchen, also called for the community to continue joining this initiative.

"I did not think twice … I said you have to do this because it is necessary, we are not raising money, all donations go directly to the food and tools that we are using.

Please donate and support this initiative because we want to do it for the duration of this crisis, because we really want to continue offering this gesture of gratitude to hospital staff, "he concluded.

The tacos, which are delivered in sealed containers, are accompanied by rice, beans, sauces and lemon.

Do you want to help?

To make a donation visit GoFundMe at: bit.ly/2V33Fkx

You can also contact Gonsalo Ibarra at 1 (626) 347-5923.

Instagram: @mobiletacos

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