Food truck fundraiser planned in Wilkinsburg for Revival Chili

The owners of Nancy’s Revival in Wilkinsburg will host a dinnertime “Food Truck Round Up” fundraiser Thursday, as they work to rebuild after a fire in August destroyed Revival Chili, the business’ food trailer.

“We are so grateful for all the support we have received so far,” Jordan Robarge, founder and CEO of Nancy’s Revival and related mobile food service trailer, Revival Chili, said in a statement. “We could not get back up and running so quickly without this support. It’s nice to know that our community supports us and our mission of helping to get people back on their feet.”

The event will kick off at 5 p.m. in the Nancy’s Revival parking lot, located at 616 South Ave. in Wilkinsburg.

Revival Chili opened in 2017 and expanded to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, Nancy’s Revival, in early 2019. The business hires formerly incarcerated people and provides life skills training for employees working to get back on their feet.

The Revival Chili trailer — which, with wood paneling and a tin roof, looked like a tiny house on wheels — caught fire on the Parkway East near Downtown in August. There were no injuries, but the trailer was destroyed.

Since then, Robarge and his team have raised about $10,000 through GoFundMe. He hopes to raise another $5,000 this week before buying a replacement.

“It’s not going to be as cool as our previous one, but we want to get back on the road,” Robarge said.

Michael Madigan of the Washington County-based food truck Vagabond Taco was among the first to get in touch with Robarge after the fire.

“I remember my mom’s business having a fire and how devastating and life-changing it was for our family, and I don’t think I ever wanted somebody to go through that alone,” said Madigan, who will bring his food truck to the fundraiser Thursday.

The fire is a setback — like “starting from zero again,” Madigan said, adding that he wanted to help Robarge rebuild in part because of Revival Chili’s focus on helping others.

“I think everybody that comes out is going to enjoy their food,” he said. “It’s a shame that everybody feels the need for a tragedy to get together to help. I think we should be helpful 365 days a year.”

Billus, Healthalicious, Hoshi, Mobile Chef and the Sinker and Suds food trucks are scheduled to attend the Food Truck Round Up on Thursday.