The Nourish to Flourish Initiative

The Lightspark Foundation began the Nourish to Flourish Initiative (the “NFI”) in May of 2020 as a response to the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 on our community. As the pandemic exposed the most vulnerable of our citizens to new health risks as well as increased job, housing, and food insecurity, our business community was decimated by devastating loss of revenues, forcing downsizing, layoffs, and in many cases, permanent closures. To assist in alleviating the additional hardships to those individuals experiencing food insecurity and those businesses suffering from the near-collapse of the local restaurant industry, the NFI brought together restaurant, non-profit service provider, and funding partners, to create a program that would pay restaurants to prepare hot, fresh meals, which were then donated to at-risk individuals in the community.

Between May 2020 and December 2021, when the program ceased operations, the NFI provided 161,547 meals to individuals (primarily children) experiencing food insecurity, and paid $1,211,603 to local restaurants struggling to stay afloat through the pandemic. Over the course of the program, generous funding partners, including Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, the State of Utah, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, allowed the NFI to provide financial assistance to 13 local restaurants, and to provide meals to individuals serviced by 15 service provider organizations. The COVID-19 crisis has been so difficult for so many, but it has also provided additional opportunities to serve those around us, and the Lightspark Foundation is proud to have partnered with such amazing partners in working to assist members of our community through a difficult period.

Meals Served

Restaurants

Service Organizations

To Local Restaurants

Meals Served

Restaurants

Service Organizations

To Local Restaurants

Our Partners & Supporters

Salt Lake City Logo
Yoko Ramen Logo
First Utah Bank
Key Bank
Maize Taco Logo
JP Morgan Chase
RMH Logo
The Inn Between Logo