Our Story

Pay It Forward Ethiopia, Inc. was started as a way to give back to children in Ethiopia. Pat adopted three children (Tesfaye, Helen, and Mulugeta) from Ethiopia. He always encouraged the children to stay connected to their heritage. Taste of Ethiopia Food Truck opened to supplement funding of the nonprofit organization.

As the children reached adulthood they expressed interest in forming an organization to give back. That discussion led to the creation of Pay it Forward Ethiopia in 2013.

A Food Truck Story

The Taste of Ethiopia food truck was started in Green Bay, WI in 2015 by Pat and Tesfaye as a means to create sustainable income to support the ministry. Since then many people have come to love the unique Ethiopian fusion food flavors created by founder and head chef Pat Joyce.

The food truck has been an excellent fund raising opportunity, providing the means to open and furnish Hold My Hand's first girls' home. We were also able to provide meals for 100 vulnerable families in rural Ethiopia for nearly a year. Unfortunately in 2021, due to Pat's declining health, the food truck operation became unsustainable.

Moving Forward

The sale of the food truck in 2022 provided temporary funding for the Hold My Hand children's homes while Pay it Forward moved its fundraising efforts in a new direction.

Today, our focus is on providing grants to local Ethiopian charities dedicated to improving the lives of children. By directly funding these community-driven organizations, we can ensure that resources are used effectively to address the most pressing needs, from education and healthcare to nutrition and shelter. These local charities have the knowledge and connections to create lasting change, and our grants empower them to expand their impact, reach more children, and build stronger, more resilient communities.