KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nourish KC is taking on hunger in the city, starting with a building on Guinotte Avenue.
They want to use the building as a space where everyone can come and enjoy themselves from work to food and even affordable housing by 2025.
But, that project is small compared to another.
"This idea came about really three years ago when I moved back to KC with the belief that if any city in this country could end hunger, homelessness and poverty, it's Kansas City," said Nourish KC President and CEO Beau Heyen.
A grocery store that everyone, no matter their income can get access to healthy and affordable food.
"We believe the KC Corner Deli is a concept we can put everywhere across the city within a mile radius of any resident. Where they can pick up that hot, healthy meal that they need or those basic grocery items like local produce from local farmers," said Heyen.
The goal is to end hunger in KC in the next few years.
"It's a really good opportunity to address food insecurity in a new way, to be systematic about it," said Christina Esteban, Senior Director of Programs.
They have a few concepts of the deli but are starting small with a few locations hoping to be opened by the spring.
"Our current calculation is about 250 locations throughout the region," said Heyen.
All they have to do is raise $30 million to make their dream a reality.
"We are actually approaching a donor next month to ask for $30 million for the next three years. We are doing this to make sure we are recession proof and making sure we don't take away money today for tomorrow," said Heyen.
But, how do they stay afloat if it's pay as you can?
"We believe the revenue mix that will make this possible will be the sale of a product that people pay for, and those who can't. But, we are also looking at non-traditional revenue opportunities by making each of our job positions, a training program," said Heyen.
To donate to the cause, visit their website at Nourishkc.org/donate.
