A team of young chefs served tacos, burritos and bacon-wrapped hot dogs to dozens of people Friday, June 26, during the grand opening of a local nonprofit’s food truck. The crew is made up of youth who’ve worked for Sonny Saltalamachia’s nonprofit, HYB, that has provided catering around Sal em for the last two years. They’ve made loyal customers of staff at Saffron Supply Co., served spring tea for women at St. Mark Lutheran Church and helped feed attendees at weddings and graduations. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by dozens of people, including those from Salem’s service-provider community and local officials. Roberto Muñoz-Soto, who’s worked for Saltalamachia’s catering business for over a year, recalled how the job and support helped him keep going in his life after he was shot in the 2024 shooting at Bush’s Pasture Park. Saltalamachia’s nonprofit and counseling practice work with local teens and young adults affected by gang violence, homelessness and other challenges. The catering service, now with a food truck, is a way to give youth a positive identity and a way to build new connections to the community, Saltalamachia said. On Friday, the crowd enjoyed a spread of delicious food in celebration of the truck’s official opening at the Saffron Supply Co. parking lot, where the truck will be open on weekdays. The truck Sonny Saltalamachia poses for a photo from inside the food truck. Saltalamachia runs HYB’s counseling practice and nonprofit that employs local teens. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) The HYB food truck awaits customers outside Saffron Supply Co. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Liz Quintana flips the open sign for the HYB food truck. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Margarito Martinez, 23, serves up a plate of carne asada tacos with onions and cilantro in the HYB catering line inside Saffron Supply Co. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Jayanna Ramos Garcia, 17, shows the meat and vegetables being served on tacos in the catering line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Joe Bosquez cleans the grill inside the HYB food truck. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) The HYB food truck is open outside Saffron Supply Co. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Cards for HYB sit at the front of the catering line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Community A Salem police officer, Marion County employees and other guests wait in line for food being served up by the HYB catering team. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Margarito Martinez, 23, serves people in the catering line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Gonsales, left, and Jennifer Martinez, right, sit for lunch outside Saffron Supply Co. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Josh Erickson enjoys a country gravy burrito inside Saffron Supply Co. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Roberto Muñoz-Soto, 18, and Sonny Saltalamachia fist bump outside Saffron Supply Co. before the grand opening ceremony. The two have known each other for roughly four years. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Guests gather near the HYB food truck outside Saffron Supply Co. ahead of the grand opening ceremony. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Margarito Martinez, 23, serves a guest tacos in the catering line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) County employees and members of the public enjoy Mexican and American foods dished up by the HYB catering team. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Yahir Meza (center) grabs a burrito from the catering line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Ribbon cutting Sonny Saltalamachia speaks at the ribbon cutting alongside the HYB team. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Roberto Muñoz-Soto, 18, a survivor of the 2024 Bush Park shooting, speaks to a crowd of guests at the HYB food truck grand opening. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Jeanette Aguirre (center) wipes a tear as Roberto Muñoz-Soto speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for HYB’s food truck. Aguirre was Muñoz-Soto’s school counselor when he attended Roberts High School. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Roberto Muñoz-Soto, 18, cuts the ribbon at the HYB food truck grand opening ceremony at Saffron Supply Co., alongside his friends, Jayanna Ramos Garcia (center right), 17, Margarito Martinez (center left), 23, and Zach Hernandez (left), 17. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Shyanne Tovar, who works with Punx With Purpose, listens to Roberto Muñoz-Soto’s speech during the HYB food truck grand opening. Muñoz-Soto is a survivor of the 2024 Bush Park shooting. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Have a news tip? Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] . SIGN UP: Salem Reporter is dedicated to covering the people, issues, and stories that shape our community. Stay connected to Salem. Subscribe today. The post PHOTO GALLERY: Youth once impacted by gang violence, other challenges hit the grill appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less