Monica Chaudhuri met Lorretta Bullock through a mentorship program. Due to COVID and SIP situation, Ooh La La was ready to switch off the lights (no pun intended, she could not pay her electricity bills.) Loretta was finding it difficult to keep her establishment afloat with mounting bills and no income. When Monica suggested the buy-donate (for every meal bought, Loretta donated a meal to Salvation Army, women shelters, and other places who needed food.) She had donated 1,173 meals through this initiative - here is her story!
The Gulabis met Monica and Loretta on a zoom meeting and were moved by her story. Loretta was hopeful that our support and virtual drive will bring the much needed business.
Loretta has lived in Oakland, CA. She was a waitress in Philadelphia and then moved on to opening her restaurant. Loretta told us that she has no friends from the Indian community, nor has she ever seen or met a sisterhood like the Gulabi girls. She had looked up the girls on Facebook and was surprised to see everyone's page carried so much in support of Black Lives Matter.
The most touching part for her was that here was a community of girls who were ready to support her and help bring in much-needed orders to feed people and save her restaurant.
The Sikh community of India is very much known for their Langar.Langar (Punjabi: ਲੰਗਰ) (kitchen), is the term used in Sikhism for the community kitchen in a Gurdwara where a free meal is served to all the visitors, without distinction of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity.
The Gulabis took it upon themselves to serve virtual langar to the hungry in Philadelphia. The concept of virtual langar is ringing true with everyone who contributed with so much generosity and a giving heart. Gulabi sisters collected 1173 buy-donates in 12 days!!
The giver is the truest receiver! You can still buy-donate at Ooh La La Salads
