Residents of Salina, Kansas have been enjoying the cuisine from 805 Tacos for over a year. Now, customers of the food truck have a chance to support the business in another way: A neighbor launched a fundraiser after fire destroyed the truck on August 27.
“805 Tacos isn’t just food, it’s family, tradition, and community. Their truck has been a gathering spot for so many of us in Salina, where neighbors line up for their incredible tacos and warm hospitality,” wrote neighbor Shelby Hermosillo on the GoFundMe page she created for the fundraiser.
805 Tacos in happier times
The fire, which police say was likely caused by an electrical problem, destroyed the truck and its contents.
The truck was owned by Juan De Leon, who started it to realize a dream of working for himself, he said in an interview with Channel 12 News in Salina.
“I sat down and thought, do I want to keep living paycheck to paycheck or do I want to follow my dreams?” he said in the interview (click here to watch the Channel 12 News report.)
The taco truck was serving about 300 customers per day, according to Juan’s son Eduardo, who also works at the business. Juan said in the TV interview that he uses no recipes – just his own culinary sense to create the business’ popular tacos and burritos.
Fortunately, the family had opened a bricks-and-mortar location just days before the fire, so those customers can continue to be served. Nevertheless, Hermosillo launched the fundraiser with a goal of $4,000 to help the De Leons weather the loss of their truck.
“Let’s rally together to bring back 805 Tacos and support a family who has given so much to our town,” Hermosillo wrote. Click here to see the GoFundMe page.
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