NaanStop Hosts Family Meal Pop-Ups to Give Back to Neighboring Communities
NaanStop owners and brothers Neal and Samir Idnani announce the expansion of their Family Meal Pop-Up fundraisers, which first began during the COVID-19 lockdown and have since become a regular part of the restaurant’s operations at all three Atlanta locations (Atlantic Station, Buckhead and downtown). NaanStop partners with local schools and charities to host these pop-up fundraisers up to three times a week to provide affordable, convenient family meals that benefit the partner organizations directly.
“During the start of the pandemic, we were searching for new ways to make people happy through food and came up with the idea of a Family Meal Pop-Up,” explains Neal Idnani. “This was a Hail Mary for us, but our community showed up in a big way. We owed it to them to return some of that good fortune, and as a bonus, our team really loves helping the outside world just by doing their normal job.”
NaanStop creates an online ordering site for the charity partner that allows for Family Meal (dinner for four) pre-orders before the fundraising event date. The restaurant asks beneficiary partners to include the Family Meal Pop-Up in newsletters and social media posts to help generate orders. On the day of the fundraiser, NaanStop sets up a drive-thru table on or nearby the beneficiary’s property for convenient meal pickups. The beneficiary organization then receives 10% of the proceeds from each meal sold.
Family Meals ($44.99) feed four people and include the choice of two entrées (vegan and halal protein options available), four fresh-baked naan, four handmade samosas, basmati rice and chutneys. Extra sides, desserts (chai spiced oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and CinnaNaan) and drinks also are available as add-ons. NaanStop’s selection of naan wraps, rice bowls and fresh salads are based on the cuisine of Sindh and Punjab on the border of India and Pakistan and marries Indian family recipes with an approachable and easy-to-understand menu. Vegetables and meats such as chicken and lamb are seasoned with cumin, coriander, turmeric and other spices sourced from India. Entrées are garnished with corn salad, spicy cabbage slaw, grilled onions and peppers and fresh spinach and are complemented by scratch-made chutneys that range from cool to hot, letting each guest customize their spice level.
“We’ve loved having this monthly partnership with NaanStop for over two years,” says Taylor Cross, PTA co-president at Toomer Elementary School in Kirkwood. “The food is amazing, well-packaged and reasonably priced, and the process for ordering is very easy.”
According to Mary Lin Elementary School PTA members, whose school has been a longtime beneficiary partner, funds raised during these Family Meal Pop-Ups are used for community events, teacher supplies and additional programming for the school community such as STEAM Day, art night and the spelling bee.
Through pop-up program contributions and the generosity of diners and partner organizations who match contributions, NaanStop has raised over $30,000 for important causes such as food insecurity, domestic violence survivors, home repairs for elderly homeowners and local school PTAs. To schedule a pop-up, interested guests can message catering@naanstop.com or call 470-485-NAAN.