Soon after a Nov. 9 fire destroyed the Food For Less store at 3129 E. Third St., Hearth Community Place, where Gilbert works, provided food to more than 100 new families. The group already helps provide food for 500 families.
<b>READ MORE</b><br/><a href="http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/devastating-fire-cost-this-dayton-neighborhood-its-grocery-store/NJuDicSwNoimccHP6ZfG1K/" target="_blank"><b>A destructive fire cost this Dayton neighborhood its only grocery store. Now services are struggling to keep up.</b></a>
Residents near the Food For Less are just starting to feel the loss of the store. Some parts of the city have been dealing for years with a lack of access to affordable food.
Lutfi Hussein, the owner of Food For Less, said the fire was “devastating.”
Hussein, who also owns the People’s Market on North Main Street, said he is determined to rebuild Food For Less, but future plans will be guided by the amount of any insurance settlement.
“It was never in our mind to put the clients or our customers in any hardship,” he said. “We are as much victims as they are and I hope one day we’ll put it back together — and soon — and be able to have them back again. I understand what they are going through and sympathize.”
MORE ON THE FOOD STRUGGLE
» Food For Less grocery store destroyed by fire
» Foodbank to help those affected by Food For Less fire in Dayton
