Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Hayes.
Hi Audrey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Unique Pieces is a non-profit organization founded on the belief that each person has unique gifts and talents. It is only when each individual uses their unique gifts and talents that we are able to come together as a whole puzzle.
It was from this belief that Audrey Hayes birthed Unique Pieces in 2017
From an early age, Ms. Hayes has always had a passion for people and the community and thus has been known to say that she is “in the business of people” including helping youth and employees alike find their gifts and talents and then lining them up with the proper tools to nurture them. “As an organization, we knew that the quickest way to gain a youth’s attention is to feed them,” said Ms. Hayes.
One in three youth receives their breakfast and lunch at school during the school year. So, during the summer months, there is a lack of access to nutritious meals. Unique Pieces partners with community organizations to ensure that students have access to meals when school is not in session.
During the summer months, we serve free meals in five counties, nine cities, and 15 locations. We provide meals to 1000 youth a day including breakfast, lunch, and snacks. During Summer 2021 we served over 55,000 meals and in Summer 2022 we will serve 94,000 meals.
Our goal is to help communities have access to healthy meals and to help them flourish in their academics and personal pursuits.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The greatest obstacles we face are increased fuel cost, delivery, and transportation. Fuel cost raises on a daily basis. Several delivery vans are need to serve so many locations and cities. We are looking for donors to cover this cost.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My fondest childhood memory is on Fridays my mother, father and brother would go to El Fenix. I was going to wear my cowgirl boots and there was chocolate milk. It is the reason today that I love boots and Mexican food.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.weareunique.org
- Instagram: WeareUniquePieces
- Facebook: Unique Pieces Inc.
