Fundraiser launched for food vendor after trailer theft

IOWA CITY — Owners of Griddle Me This have found a generous community support after being burned by thieves.

The mobile food vendor owned by Matt and Liz Georges has frequented the Iowa City Farmers Market and various local events for years with a focus on local ingredients. But earlier this month, they were left wondering how they would recover $15,000 worth of supplies after their trailer was stolen with a griddle, large tent and catering equipment inside.

When tragedy hit, Liz’s Realtor team at Encompass Real Estate Group launched a Go Fund Me on Nov. 8 to help get the couple back on their feet. By Nov. 14, the appeal’s 94 donors had raised nearly $13,000 of the $15,000 goal to replace the equipment and enable them to vend the Iowa City Farmers Market again.

“We still have a few events on the schedule yet this year, and we intend to serve them,” the owners wrote on their social media Wednesday. “We are incredibly grateful to Liz’s team for their effort in helping us get moving forward again. The abundant community support has been so encouraging and we are touched by the number of you who have reached out!”

Any funds raised above the cost to replace the trailer and its contents will be donated to a local food charity.

The owners are working with local businesses near where the trailer was parked to review surveillance footage as they work with police to determine the next steps, fundraiser organizer Channing Smith said.

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