Shelter from the storm: Local man stepped up to feed hungry survivors

BY TERRY SCHMIDA
Months have now gone by since Hurricane Irma struck the Keys, resulting in real hardship for many Keys’ residents.
And though many people would prefer to forget the storm and all the negative aftereffects, tales have also emerged of everyday heroism by people who stepped up to the plate when the situation required it.
Accordingly, Konk Life will be running stories about some of these heroes over the next several weeks.
First up are
Josh Hobson of the planned 501(C)3 organization “Hurriconchs”:
Josh Hobson’s story is reminiscent of the European folk tale “Stone Soup,” in which some hungry strangers manage to convince the residents of a small town to each share some small amount of their food in order to feed everyone.
In Hobson’s case, however, the setting is Key West, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The restaurant worker stayed in Key West during the storm, and afterward began cooking for friends who were without power and perishable food. He had some supplies, and neighbors began donating more.
“Originally it started out with me just feeding the people around me,” Hobson said. “I told them I’d kayak the gumbo I made over to them, because we thought it was going to flood.”
From gumbo, Hobson moved on to chili, and from using a charcoal grill, to a propane one loaned to him by his neighbors.
Hobson did all this cooking on the sidewalk in front of Marerro’s Guest Mansion, on Fleming Street, feeding hundreds of hungry Key Westers with the help of Marerro’s Manager Sally La Cava, and some other friends.
“Every time I thought we were done feeding people, somebody would donate some more food, and we’d cook some more,” Hobson said. “I think we ended up feeding about 500 people in the five or six days after Irma.”
Hobson even took his show on the road, bringing food and hope to the storm-weary residents of Big Pine Key.
Ultimately the whole experience gave Hobson an idea: Why not organize to collect food and cooking supplies when the next storm approaches, to be able to take care of the residents who don’t evacuate?
“I’m currently working on putting together a 501(C)3 non-profit called ‘Hurriconchs’ to prepare for future storms,” Hobson said. “So that when people evacuate, they’ll have a place to drop off the food they clear out of their fridges, where it will be used properly. Especially the restaurants.”
At the end of “Stone Soup,” the hungry strangers ended up convincing the townspeople to contribute to a meal – and an atmosphere of solidarity that benefited everyone. Hobson is clearly hoping to be able to do the same.
“Once people are fed their attitudes change,” he said. “And they have the strength to get to work rebuilding. That’s what I’d like to try to facilitate.”
Anyone wishing to help Hobson with the Hurriconchs project can contact him at 305-304-7899 or [email protected]
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