The R.A.F.T.— Really Amazing Food Truck— is back in the CLE for its third year with grand plans to nurture the Cleveland community through love, kindness and food.
“For me, the point of my life is I don’t want to open up a restaurant or do something that benefits me if it doesn’t benefit others,” Ricky Smith, Cleveland comedian and founder of the R.AF.T. says.
Smith launched the R.A.F.T. in April of 2022 as an extension of his nonprofit R.A.K.E., also known as Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere, a Cleveland-based nonprofit with a mission to “enrich lives, encourage kindness and promote the act of paying it forward.” The food truck serves elevated grilled cheese, specialty hotdogs and smash burgers. It pops up randomly at least once a week and on weekends in locations scattered throughout Cleveland, which are announced on Instagram ahead of time. In past years, the truck has frequented the Flats East Bank.
Smith’s journey to charity work began while he was living in Los Angeles, where he used his last $20 to buy pizza for Skid Row residents. To continue R.A.K.E.’s mission, Smith created the idea for customers to use a pay-what-you-want concept for every meal served. All contributions made by the R.A.F.T. make it possible for Smith to feed a family.
“In the world you see, you can either be on the sidelines, or you try to get in there and try to do what you can,” he says.
This year, Smith hopes to expand R.A.F.T.’s mission to emphasize community and care when he relaunches this week. Smith hopes to collaborate with local chefs and restaurants to help him connect people through shared meals and experiences. Smith says he plans to create a summer youth program that can teach children about nutrition, and the importance of healthy eating. He’s even adding an in-house DJ, games and “a guy who plays the recorder while doing magic tricks.”
“I believe food and music are two things that bring people together like no other,” Ricky Smith says.
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