Matthew Lenne, owner of the Sweet Tooth ice cream truck in Tucson, Arizona, is dedicated to serving underprivileged and low-income communities by offering affordable treats. Lenne and his fiancé, Korina Quiroga-Ramirez, operate the business with a motto prioritizing people over profit, ensuring their sweet treats, priced between $1 and $3, are accessible to all.
Lenne stated that if a child cannot afford an item, he covers the cost himself. His inspiration stems from his own life experiences and his mother's teachings about generosity. He recalled the high cost of buying ice cream for his own six children, emphasizing that it should not be prohibitively expensive.
Sweet Tooth partners with local organizations to support the community. Lenne has provided free popsicles to volunteers beautifying neglected spaces in Southside Tucson through Barrio Restoration. He also collaborates with Para Todos, an organization that hosts monthly birthday parties for children.
Krystina Diaz, founder of Amore for Medically Complex Families, highlighted the shared vision with Lenne during a recent event, noting the importance of creating positive memories for children. Lenne finds his greatest reward in seeing people leave with a smile, believing in the principle that helping one's community is paramount, especially for families facing financial struggles.
Recently, the community rallied around Lenne when he needed a new generator for his truck. A GoFundMe fundraiser initiated by community member K. Alexandra Monaco aimed to help Lenne cover the unexpected expense, expressing gratitude for his contributions and a desire to support him in return. The fundraiser's description emphasized that Lenne gives away much of his profit and that community support would ensure children can continue to receive ice cream.
Lenne expressed his gratitude for the community's support, calling the gesture monumental and reiterating that his focus is on helping people rather than accumulating profit.