About Tacos for a Cause
Blue Mesa Grill is proud of our Tacos for a Cause program, where one dollar for every gourmet taco sold benefits local charities Baal Dan, Lena Pope Home, Operation Kindness, North Texas Food Bank, or Carroll Education Foundation.
About Our Charities
Baal Dan – $7,135 to date
Baal Dan Charities (In Hindi, “Baal” means “Child” and “Dan” means “Donation”), is a Dallas-based, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charity that helps children in need in India (There are over 18 million street children in India*). Based on the simple concept of raising money to help street children, orphans and the organizations that help impoverished children (e.g. orphanages, schools, shelters etc.), the charity raises money to buy things in bulk that children can use immediately like food, clothing, medicines and books. Since 2006, when the charity was founded, more than 1,500 children in India have received aid from Baal Dan. For more information, visit www.baaldan.com.
Baal Dan is focused on providing aid in the most simple, direct, efficient and transparent way possible. In India there are already many orphanages and projects that are innovative providing excellent care for children in need, however they are often under-funded, under-staffed and have low awareness or local support. Baal Dan seeks to fill the gaps in aid for these children by providing necessities like food, clothing, blankets and medicines to help increase the quality of life for impoverished children. In addition, the charity raises money to fund school fees for impoverished children to help break the cycle of poverty through quality education.
*Source: United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report, 1993, New York and Government of India, 1991 Census and Financial Times, April 10, 2006).
Carroll Education Foundation – $11,232 to date
The Carroll Education Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization whose sole purpose is to generate and distribute resources for the benefit of the children of the CISD. The Foundation provides funds for educational programs not covered by the District's normal operating budget. Foundation funds are used to facilitate student achievement and skill development and to recognize and encourage staff excellence. The mission of the Foundation is to enrich, maintain and expand programs needed to meet the school district's stated mission of providing a learning environment that inspires individual success and responsibility in a competitive local and global community.
Lena Pope Home – $28,540 to date
Lena Pope Home, Inc. is committed to creating a future of hope for all children and their families by offering preventive and rehabilitative services that strengthen and preserve family life. The goal of Lena Pope Home is to strengthen families and develop resilient children, by helping them make healing changes that can transform their futures. They Provide an effective, comprehensive range of services including family preservation, counseling, alternative education and foster care. The Home works with over 20,000 children and their families a year, and has been serving children and families since 1930. For more information, visit www.lenapopehome.org.
North Texas Food Bank – $342 to date
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of 1,146 feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Close the Gap is the NTFB’s 3-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually by 2011.
Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a member of Feeding America (feedingamerica.org). In 2009 the NTFB provided access to 37 million meals through its efforts. Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 53,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry.
Imagine . . . A World Without Hunger
Operation Kindness – $5,330 to date
Founded in 1976, Operation Kindness is the oldest and largest no-kill shelter in North Texas. They have saved more than 45,000 animals since our inception.. They care for an average of 200-250 animals on a day-to-day basis, with another 100-120 animals in foster homes. More than 2,800 dogs and cats are adopted from Operation Kindness each year. The mission of Operation Kindness is to provide quality care for homeless or unwanted cats and dogs in a compassionate, no-kill environment until they are adopted into responsible, loving homes, and to be a leader in their community in promoting humane values through education and awareness.
Operation Kindness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives no government funding. All of their income comes from donations from individuals and businesses, adoptions, fundraising events and the sale of pet-related merchandise. For more information, visit www.operationkindness.org.
