Crowfunding campaign aims to help burned food truck

"Falafel guy" Eid Al-Hadad has been operating the food truck Halloumi en Falafel at Utrecht Science Park for four years, selling vegetarian meals from his home country, Syria. 

On July 20, after a short summer break, Eid was preparing his food truck for hungry passers-by when a fire broke out. He doesn’t know exactly what happened. “I was in the kitchen and it all happened so fast. I tried to put out the fire but I couldn’t.” The black plumes of smoke were visible from the road. The fire brigade took action as soon as it arrived, to no avail: Eid’s food truck burned down completely.

Eid was not injured, but it was close. “I almost burned my hands and face and felt tingling all over my body,” he recollects. However, the emotional damage is significant. "That food truck was my entire life. It was not only my livelihood, but also a place where I could share my passion for cooking with others. Now it's all gone. It's a huge loss."

Crowdfunding
Eid contacted his insurer right after the fire, but he found out that he was not insured for the loss of turnover, staff, and stock. Only the truck itself was insured. He still doesn't know how much the insurance company will pay him for the truck.

Eid has started a crowdfunding campaign to help him get back on track. “Your support will be used for the start-up costs of my company, replenishing the stock and compensating for the lost turnover during this difficult time.” Donors are leaving words of support: “Hopefully you can start working again soon, your wraps are amazing,” one of them says. Another one goes: “I hope we can enjoy your delicious wraps again soon.”

Positive contribution
Eid aims to contribute positively to society with his food truck. "It's important to help the environment through socially responsible businesses that provide tasty, original and healthy food." Eid's food truck is also about art and conviviality, as reflected in the truck's design. 

You can donate to his fundraiser here.