Love | Innovation | Growth | Community | Passion – These are our wonderful partner Tutta Bella’s core values. Amara is so lucky to be a part of their community and for their love of our work and the children and families we serve. For years now Tutta Bella generously gives First Meal gift cards to us to give to families who are leaving the child welfare system and building new lives together through reunification, guardianship, or adoption.
The families then get to celebrate together over a delicious meal and create some of their first memories of their new lives together. And because families come in all shapes and sizes, Tutta Bella doesn’t put a limit on their First Meal cards, so families don’t have to worry about who to invite or do math at their table, so they don’t exceed a limit. They can bring whoever is important to them and just relax together.
Several of our families exited the system during the height of the pandemic, so they saved their First Meal cards and used them when they felt safer to gather and enjoy a meal in public. Mari Nicole’s family received their First Meal card after the adoption of her child was finalized in 2020. They used it in 2022 when several family members had gathered to honor the passing of Mari’s mom the previous year.
Mari shared how kind everyone at Tutta Bella was, from the person who answered her call when she checked to see if her First Meal card was still okay to use, to the host and the server. As a single parent, it’s not often that Mari can afford a meal out with her whole family, but Tutta Bella allowed them to relax and honor and celebrate both her daughter and her mom.
“I think it’s so great that Tutta Bella offers this,” she said.
Amara’s case workers love giving First Meal cards to families. “I usually write a congratulatory card to families when there is an adoption, a guardianship or a reunification, and it’s such a nice gift to include in the envelope,” said Mari Halpert, Foster Care Specialist at Amara.
For many, good food is a form of love. We are deeply grateful to Tutta Bella for sharing their love with us.