Knoxville chef teams up with Murfreesboro Muslim Youth to help Nashville tornado victims

Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

An award-winning Knoxville restaurateur teamed up with volunteers with Murfreesboro Muslim Youth and American Muslim Advisory Council to prepare 400 meals for families affected by Tuesday's deadly tornado in Nashville.

Yassin Terou, owner of Yassin's Falafel House restaurants in Knoxville, is using his talents to make "really, good, fresh food" for those in need, Terou said.

Giving back:After tornadoes, Yassin's Falafel House feeding Nashville residents and first responders

"After hearing about the tornado in Nashville and what's happened, we are here to help the community and show them we are part of this community and we are proud to be here with them," Terou said.

In 2011, the Syrian native came to America as a refugee and said he knows the difficulty of starting over.

"I know the feeling of having to leave your house and leave everything behind without notice. I came here ... and Knoxville adopted me. I am the son of the city," said Terou, who opened his first restaurant just three years after immigrating here.

Along with gaining a loyal following for his food, Terou became known for his generosity to those in need. In 2016, he loaded up a van and took food and supplies to victims of the Gatlinburg fire and regularly donates to local charities.

Yassin Terou, owner of Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville, stands with Murfreesboro Muslim Youth director Abdou Kattih as the two prepare to make food with other volunteers for those affected by the deadly tornado in Nashville early Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

His giving spirit garnered the attention of Reader's Digest, who gave Yassin's Falafel House the 2018 "Nicest Places in America" award and he was featured on "Good Morning America."

More:Yassin's Falafel House named 'Nicest Place in America'

Terou wanted to donate his time and talents to victims of tornado in Nashville. But the meals he's serving are much better than the "cheese and ham sandwich" route, he said.

Meals will include marinated chicken served with a freshly chopped salad.

The chef and a team of volunteers traveled to Nashville Tuesday to start cooking, but ran into issues having "functioning kitchens," said Murfreesboro Muslim Youth director Abdou Kattih.

"So we decided to cook here in Murfreesboro," said Kattih, who named the project "We Stand with Nashville."

The meals made in Murfreesboro will be delivered by MMY to nonprofit Gideon's Army in Nashville and distributed to those in need, Kattih explained.

"It's our way to make a statement that we are here for our neighbors in Nashville and we are stronger together as a community," Kattih said.

Other local groups are assisting with getting food to victims of the Nashville tornado.

Award-winning Knoxville restaurant owner Yassin Terou teamed up with Murfreesboro Muslim Youth members and other community volunteers on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, to prepare and pack meals that will be distributed through Gideon's Army to those affected by the Nashville tornado that ripped through Middle Tennessee in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

Second Harvest

People can drop canned goods and bottled water to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee's Rutherford County location, 1958 Almaville Road in Smyrna, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday.

Nourish Food Bank

Easy-to-use canned goods (pop-top) and non-perishable food can be dropped at Nourish Food Bank, 1809 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro. Monetary donations can be given at nourishfoodbanks.org.

Nourish also has a list of other items being collected for tornado victims:

Tarps
Tents
Sleeping bags
Blankets
Hygiene products
Pet food

Planet Fitness

Those impacted by tornadoes can utilize offerings at any Tennessee Planet Fitness, such as locker rooms and showers, as well as fitness and health facilities. Until further notice, there is no charge and no membership is needed for those affected by the tornado.

Planet Fitness is welcoming anyone in or returning to areas impacted by the tornadoes to use facilities free of charge, such as showers, locker rooms and additional health and fitness facilities (no membership needed) at 13 of its clubs that are open for business.

United Way

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has set up a relief fund to support efforts through Middle Tennessee and is also coordinating with neighboring United Way agencies and the Red Cross to determine the appropriation of funds. All funds received for the relief effort will be used to address related needs throughout Middle Tennessee.

To contribute, text RELIEF2020 to 41444, visit tinyurl.com/UWtornadorelief or mail a check to UWRCC at P.O. Box 330056, Murfreesboro, TN 37133 (write RELIEF2020 on memo line).

MTSU

To raise funds for students affected by the tornadoes, contribute to the MTSU Student Emergency Fund. The fund provides money solely to MTSU undergraduate and graduate students in need of help. To donate, visit mtsu.edu/tornado2020 or send a check to MTSU Development Office, 1301 E. Main St., Box 109, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (write Student Emergency Fund on memo line).

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com and follow her on Twitter @NanDeGennaro. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook.