Avenue Capital co-founder and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry discusses the NBA season and the next steps for the country and the economy.
Just 40 minutes from Oracle Arena – the former home of the Golden State Warriors, now based in San Francisco – is Emeryville’s Monster Pho restaurant.
Run by Tee Tran, whose mother still makes the restaurant’s spring rolls by hand, the California business has battled the socioeconomic strain of the coronavirus pandemic, as has the restaurant industry across the country.
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Nearly 17% of all US restaurants – more than 110,000 businesses – have closed for the long term or permanently, according to a study by the National Restaurant Association.
But while 75% of Tran’s own business evaporated and his family was forced to put their home on an indulgent mortgage, Monster Pho was still working in partnership with Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Touch. Foundation, as well as the World Central Kitchen founded by Chef José Andrés, to distribute around 24,000 meals to those in need.
With food insecurity increasing across the country and food banks running at full speed, Tran said he felt inspired to help in large part because of the values his mother passed on to him.
“Because we are immigrants, we came here with nothing. So our family understood exactly what it’s like to not eat, ”Tran told the“ The Tamron Hall Show. ”
“Literally, I’m just juggling every day. I know it’s difficult for me, but it’s difficult for everyone. But, keep pushing. I don’t like people feeling sorry for me. We just don’t do that,” he added. “You just need to work hard and help people.”
In recognition of Tran and Monster Pho’s efforts, the Curry family presented Tran with a check for $ 25,000.
“This is what the community spirit we want to support is about,” the star guard told host Tamron Hall. “And he incorporates that, obviously, through this pandemic.”
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“He hits the ground every morning with gratitude and finds a way to keep pushing,” he said. “And I love that spirit. It is something that I want to incorporate as well. “
“We love the bright light you are,” added Ayesha Curry.