Nirvana Grille Serves Laguna Beach's Elderly 130 Meals

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Laguna Beach-based Nirvana Grille teamed up with the city’s senior services and transportation 501C-3 non-profit Sally’s Fund and delivered 130 Easter dinners to the most vulnerable elderly members in the community.

The two-course meal that included a turkey, ham, or chicken entrée, mashed Yukon potatoes, green beans with herb butter, fresh baked baguette and dessert, was funded by last-minute donations to Sally’s Fund.

“In a typical year, Sally’s Fund makes over 7,000 trips for our local Laguna Beach seniors, transporting and escorting them to medical appointments, grocery shopping, running errands and doing wellness checks,” said Rachael Berger, Executive Director of Sally’s Fund. “Many of the people we serve have disabilities due to old age, are low income without family nearby to assist, and have increased anxiety and fear as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chef Lindsay Rosales, a Laguna Beach native, was quick to respond to the unprecedented challenge that the pandemic has brought upon the community.

Prior to the “Shelter in Place” orders, she had an “ah-ha” moment after seeing a social media post of empty shelves at a local grocery store.

Those photos gave her the idea to create an online market co-op filling a need for both her restaurant suppliers and her customers; Restaurant suppliers would have a new sales channel with items other restaurants stopped ordering, and residents an alternative method to shop for grocery items, cleaning supplies and household necessities.

This idea came to fruition within hours and on her first social media post about the Nirvana Grille Co-Op, she received hundreds of responses and has never looked back.

Sally’s Fund is committed to continue delivering at least 100 bags of groceries each week including necessities like toilet paper and masks. “Our drivers may be the only people seniors see each week and they are extremely grateful for the help we provide them.”

Moving forward, Nirvana Grille and Sally’s Fund would like to see their collaboration grow to service Orange County hospital and healthcare workers, police and other first responders with regular meal deliveries. They continue to accept donations for seniors through their online store, and are hopeful that the new state of California program will assist in their efforts.