SARASOTA, Fla. — Organizers are putting together food truck rallies to support a family that suffered a heartbreaking loss in a crash this week.
Two food truck rallies are being held for the children in the Mendoza family. Their parents, Carlos Mendoza and Alondra Lopez, were killed when their food truck overturned and caught fire Aug. 16 on Interstate 75 near Fruitville Road, according to a spokesperson for the family and organizers.
"In the Latino community, we tend to be connected in one way, shape, or form," Cesar Garcia, a family friend, said. "This one happened to hit a little closer to home."
The couple leave behind a 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, JFCS of the Suncoast said in a post. Family members are helping raise money to support them with a GoFundMe account. So far, they've raised more than $13,000.
"I honestly believe that this is gonna help them so much right now," Garcia said. "And hopefully, it will help to nurture a future."
The food truck rallies will also contribute to the cause. A food truck rally was held Saturday at Scavenger's Marketplace in Palmetto.
"The food trucks are so close, we are family. We don't have to know each other. We're there for each other," Lora Rust, owner of Smokin Momma Lora's BBQ Mobile food truck, said.
Rust said the incident could happen to any food truck owner. She thought about her own family when she heard about the incident.
"We will do whatever it takes for this family," Rust said. "We're all a community."
Another food truck rally will be held from noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21 at Big Top Brewing Company in Sarasota. The family will eat lunch with the food truck from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. All donations will go directly to the family and a percentage of all sales from each truck will go toward the donation fund. Click here for more details.
Family and friends of the Mendozas said thank you to all who have helped or offered words of encouragement and condolences.