Being called sweet and spicy is a true compliment for The Source when they’re told how delicious their sauce is. Not only delicious, their sauce is award-winning, thanks to the culinary team and creative staff of the Vero Beach non-profit who work tirelessly to end homelessness in Indian River County. Together they have developed a product of their own that is being sold to the public and to nearby restaurants with 100% of the proceeds going directly towards that mission.
Sometimes it takes an inspiration to make something happen. In this case it started with Anthony “Tony” Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source, who still feels the loss of the Assistant Executive Director of The Source, his close ally and dear friend Maureen “MO” Archer, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022 at the age of 39.
“Maureen was passionate for food and worked diligently for the less fortunate. Her compassion and enthusiasm for helping people to become dignified in their lives was paramount to her,” shared Zorbaugh. “We all needed to take that loss, that negative and turn it into a positive, and so we created this sauce that would identify with MO’s Caribbean roots and produced a sweet and spicy product…much like her personality,” he quips.
The sauce was established the year of Maureen’s passing, and brought them great triumphs at local food competitions winning first place awards and fan favorite awards for their wings made with MO Sauce. It was that success that spurred up The Source team to bottle it for sale to the community at large to enjoy. In addition, they are also pursuing local restaurants to use it on their menus.
According to Development Director Jonathan Orozco, “We are in talks with a number of local restaurants who all seem interested in using MO Sauce on some of their menu offerings. In fact, Lee Olsen, General Manager of Waldo’s Restaurant & Bar on Ocean Drive in Vero Beach, is so excited about the product, he is purchasing the sauce from us and has added it on to his new menu as a choice for his customers. Waldo’s is not alone. To date we have also added on Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’Station located on Old Dixie Highway as well as Johnny D’s Market & Bistro located on A1A. These are huge accomplishments for our organization.”
Zorbaugh continues. ”We are always looking at ways that our organization can be self-sustainable, over and beyond the generous donations and grants we receive. We have two active food trucks and a successful catering operation, now MO Sauce is another way we achieve that.”
The colorful 10-ounce bottle, which features Archer’s smiling face, are on sale from their Dignity Food Trucks that appear daily around town and at local activities, or by ordering it with Development Director Jonathan Orozco at 772-564-0202. The food chart states that one tablespoon is 14 calories, 0 fat, 49 mg sodium, 3.42 rams carbs and 0.16 grams of protein. It also states that the item is “Best used on everything, but we like it on our wings!” It also shares the ingredients that are combined for making this an award-winning sauce.
“We might say, it’s a little bit of this, and a little bit of that,” shares Orozco, “but the bottom line is that MO Sauce is made with every bit of love.”
I am Ministries DBA The Source, is a Christian social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service for the homeless since 1995. Founded in Indian River County, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through core programs and services that instill a sense of community. For more information on The Source and MO Sauce, contact Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh, or Development Director Jonathan Orozco at 772-564-0202, or visit www.iamthesource.org.