I want to share a little more detail regarding my vision for the old Truck Company F firehouse. Our vision is to convert it into a restaurant with an open concept kitchen that it utilized as a demonstration kitchen for DC Fire & EMS personnel to take scheduled cooking/nutrition classes.

Most nonprofits fail due to lack of consistent funding. The restaurant will allow Food on the Stove to be self-sustainable, with profit generated from the restaurant going directly into the organization's programming.

Most health and safety grants are allocated for SCBA bottles, fire wipes, fire equipment, etc. Since Food on the Stove's focus is more on how food affects the health of firefighters, we don't qualify for most health and safety grants. This leaves us to focus our attention on food bank grants. The problem is that at the moment, we don't have a facility to store a large amount of food if we were to win a (food bank) grant.

The long term goal is to utilize the profit from the restaurant along with grant money to supplement the cost of meals in the firehouse. The #1 excuse for not eating healthier is, "It costs too much." It is our hope that this concept will help us eliminate that excuse. The carriage house in the rear will be utilized as a food pantry where food will be stored and boxed to be delivered to firehouses, think of food delivery companies like Hello Fresh, Sun Basket, Blue Apron, etc. Depending upon profit, we will be able to deliver "Farm to Firehouse" food boxes to 1 battalion per week at no cost to firefighters. Inside each box will be a 30-minute recipe along with locally-sourced organic ingredients that will be needed to prepare the meal. By providing one meal, more money can be put into buying healthier items for breakfast and lunch.

The second floor (bunk room) will be used for event space where rental fees will be waived for retirement and promotion dinners. Catering will be purchased per person which will give us another stream of revenue to go back into programming.

It is my belief that this model and concept can be used around the country for firehouses that become vacant. Let's be the first to do it! If you have any questions, concerns, critiques, etc . . . feel free to leave them below. I am open to hearing your thoughts and opinions. The plans may change, but the vision will stay the same.

**Please continue to share this petition with family and friends. Thanks for your support.