Four days a week, Gregory Quezada carries platters of food to the lively Sunset Heights community center in Rancho Cucamonga. As children in the after-school program watch him walk the pathway to the door, they gleefully call out “Good afternoon, Mr. Greg!”
It all began with that starchy food.
Modeled after an Anaheim organization that serves food-insecure children, Gregory established Allison’s Project – naming it for a friend who passed away in 2018. Allison’s Project is inspired by his friend’s charisma and love for community service, Gregory said.
“Our desire to serve the community and being able to serve quality food to kids is what really drives us,” Gregory said. “Most importantly though, it provides kids with hope and that’s why I do it.”
Gregory has been volunteering at Sunset Height for two years after launching his program at Villaggio.
Funds and donations come from family, friends and locals as well as his own pocket. The nonprofit is operated by Gregory and his wife. In addition to providing food to the after-school program, the nonprofit also feeds families in need by supplying them with grocery boxes.
With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, Gregory is no stranger to tending to his guests’ wants and needs – so he expanded the menu to include tacos, burritos, hamburger sliders and many more options to keep the children excited.
Gregory said he wishes to become a constant for children that may live in chaos – he is pleased to become a source of joy in the community.
“Being able to volunteer my time brings me joy,” he said. “What I do for them now will leave an impact and they’ll remember me the way I remember the people who were there for me when I was growing up.”
Sunset Heights Youth Services Coordinator Stephanie Joseph said Gregory is a bright spot in the day for the kids in her program.
“He’s great – the kids really love him,” she said.