Srirupa Dasgupta, founder and owner, has announced that Upohar, a social impact restaurant and catering company, is relaunching and relocating to downtown Lancaster. A crowdfunding campaign is going on now to raise money for the purchase of a food truck, as well as to outfit the new restaurant location with a commercial kitchen, furniture, lighting and welcoming decor.

In March, many customers expressed great disappointment at the closing of the Fruitville Pike location, so Dasgupta asked customers for feedback. “Customer feedback is important to us,” shares Dasgupta. “We compiled ideas, found a downtown location, a truck and a more impactful way of working with our employees.” The goal is to get the food truck on the road by this fall, while work is being done on building out the downtown location.

“We are looking forward to participating in more street fairs and community events, catering company picnics, employee or client appreciation events, private parties and parking the food truck at different locations so people can enjoy a fresh, healthful hot lunch in the middle of their workday,” enthuses Dasgupta.

“Upohar” means “gift” in Bengali. People who experience significant barriers to workforce entry (such as newly resettled refugee women) are employed, trained, paid livable wages and put on a path to economic self-sufficiency. Contributions to the campaign can be made by visiting IndieGoGo.com/Projects/Upohar-the-Gift-of-Employment#/.

For more information, call 717-569-2782, email [email protected] or visit UpoharEthnicCuisines.com.