Jacksonville food truck businesses take hit from coronavirus impacts, college senior helps

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Latin Soul Grille has been struggling to make ends meet due to COVID-19.

The business is owned by Gary and Maritza Lathion. Their source of income has been on the verge of liquidation as stay-at-home orders declined in Jacksonville.

Most of their catering and events were canceled as well.

Tatiana Lathion, who attends college at Haverford College, came home after school went online for the remainder of the semester. The college senior is now back in Jacksonville trying to help keep her parent’s food truck afloat, while also finishing up her final semester.

“I’m not sure my savings will allow them both to survive this quarantine and still keep the business," Tatiana said in a New York Times article. The family has since been doing better and has been using social media to get the word out about where their truck will be each day, but it’s still not 100%.

They aren’t the only business having issues. Food Truck City on the Southside houses 48 businesses, and the owner says everyone is hurting right now.

However, many owners are using online platforms to get the word out, as well as making their way through local neighborhoods.

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