I love sofrito, it's one of my favorite things
in the world to cook with.
Hi, my name is Millie Peartree
I'm a chef and
I'm the founder of
Full Heart, Full Bellies
Full Heart, Full Bellies is
an initiative that I created to provide meals
for underprivileged children in the Bronx.
I remember cracking my first egg
at the age of seven.
So as I got older, you know,
I wanted to become a chef.
My mother told me, she was like,
I'm not paying for something
you already know how to do.
And I went to college and
even though, you know
there were no pots and pans
in my educational journey
you know, it taught me other things.
And then when I was in college, my mom got diagnosed
with colon cancer.
And shortly after my graduation,
my mom passed away.
And then I inherited my family.
I have four brothers and sisters and two
of them are autistic.
You know, even before she passed away.
You know, one thing that she told me was,
she said, you know what?
Your brothers and sisters are gonna be good
because they're gonna eat well.
When I continued to raise them,
I had to implement
or I wanted to implement some of the
things that my mom taught me growing up.
And I wanted them to kind of feel
like that same love.
(cries)
(upbeat music)
What led to me creating the Full Heart,
Full Belly initiative was COVID.
It was very important
to me to make sure that children had food.
You know, because a lot
of programs are canceled, and
or limited due to COVID.
The concept behind these meals
are restaurant inspired meals.
Again, a lot of people don't have the money to go
to restaurants, but
we can bring the restaurant for them.
We do Turkey meatloaf with roasted potatoes
and peas and carrots,
jerk chicken sandwiches
with sweet potato wedges and
cabbage slaw.
One of the most popular favorites,
because of course we're
in the Bronx,
which is predominantly Hispanic
but also go and do this with chicken.
You just make sure they have like a
fully composed meal to
give them the sustenance they need
throughout the day.
we chose the South Bronx
because South Bronx is the poorest community
in all of the five girls.
People appreciate it.
And you can hear on the ground firsthand
like, you know what, thank you so much.
You have been a blessing to my community.
You have been a blessing to my household.
That's what we're trying to do here.
That's what we're trying to accomplish.
Donations are the backbone of this organization.
So even if you go on my website
or on my social media at
Chef Millie Peartree,
you'll see a link in my bio where you can donate.
You can email me
like if you're, a corporation that
wants to donate product
you know,
we're just thankful for everybody that
contributes to us.
In the last three months we've given
out approximately 40,000 meals.
And I would love to donate
at least a half a million meals in 2021,
possibly a million.
I tell people all the time,
one person
can change the world.
Not just their community, the whole world
because people are gonna see
what you're doing,
what you did, and are continuing to do.
And they're gonna do it in their own community.
And I also (murmurs)
oh yes. You say that from the gut.
I like that. That was deep
(murmurs)
I know it.
Because I believe it and I live it.
And so do you.
I don't know what else I can say.
Other than, maybe this.
You've been doing
so much to feed your community.
We have some friends at wonderful halos.
I have to give a shout out
to Mandarins by the way.
They are so good
(laughs)
I love them so much.
(mumbles)
Wonderful halos deserve their name
because they are giving you 10,000 dollars.
Oh yes. Go ahead Halo
(laughs)
halo halo
(indistinct chatter) (laughs)
Oh my gosh.
That's amazing.
(murmurs)
10,000 bucks goes a long way.
Right?
So we thank you halo.
And I really appreciate that.
Some people love that as well, but you know what?
We thank you so much.
At least, on behalf of the children
of the Bronx, halo.
Thank you so much for that
Very, very generous donation.
Thanks to our friends
at Wonderful halos.