We had the good fortune of connecting with Cat Montes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cat, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by individuals who demonstrate compassion and generosity, particularly those who dedicate their efforts to helping the less fortunate or overlooked members of society. This includes people involved in philanthropy, community service, or charitable work. Their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others resonate with me and serves as a source of inspiration.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sets you apart from others: I stand out through my compassionate nature and open arms, creating an environment of understanding. Providing leadership and guidance and supporting those that want to get involved in our organization.

Excited about:
What truly excites and fulfills me is collaborating with like-minded individuals who share a deep care for our community, particularly those that are often overlooked and forgotten. Together, we work towards making a meaningful impact, ensuring that our collective efforts contribute to the well-being of those who need support the most.

Overcome the challenges:
Numerous challenges emerged while delivering direct meal services to those in need during the pandemic. It was crucial to guarantee that our volunteers, staff, and the community were adhering to COVID precautions. We had to ensure the provision of essential resources such as food, hygiene kits, COVID tests, and masks to the community we served. Additionally, we were committed to maintaining the health and safety of our own staff and volunteers throughout these efforts.
Nevertheless, we persisted in supporting our community even when they encountered challenges due to government or city-wide roadblocks.

Your story:
At The City Eats, we stand as a beacon of compassion and commitment in the fight against hunger. Rooted in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area and extending our impact globally, we tirelessly serve the unhoused, elderly, low-income individuals, and families facing the pressing need for nourishment and shelter.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest in North America. Ferry Building Marketplace for lunch, where you can find a variety of gourmet food vendors.
Visit Pier 39 for its shops, restaurants, and the lively sea lions.
Visit the California Academy of Sciences, home to a planetarium, aquarium, and natural history museum.
Explore Valencia Street for its boutiques, cafes, and nightlife.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my parents Danilo Montes and Lourdes Montes – rest her soul. And my grandmother, my dad’s Mom, Magdalena Montes – rest her soul.

They raised me to be the woman I am today.

Our CEO / Founder of The City Eats: Kieem Baker

Website: www.thecityeats.org

Instagram: thecityeats

Linkedin: thecityeats

Twitter: thecityeats

Facebook: thecityeats

Image Credits
Andrew Ho and Kieem Baker

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