TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A local ice cream truck owner is making sure everyone in his community can enjoy a sweet treat — regardless of what they can afford.
Matthew Lenne, owner of Sweet Tooth ice cream truck, serves underprivileged and low-income neighborhoods across Tucson.
He wants families to know they won't break the bank at his truck. He has ice creams that range from $1 to $3.
"My goal is to help families create core memories without walking away feeling jaded or like they just got ripped off honestly. That's my goal," Lenne said. "Our mission is to make sure every kid gets a popsicle because everybody deserves a sweet treat regardless of where you come from."
His motto is simple: people over profit.
"Because at the end of the day it's helping your community, it's helping people. That's really what I wanna do with my life. Like that's what I've decided to be my purpose," Lenne said.
"One of my big things is I don't let any kid walk away without a popsicle. If they can't afford it, I still got popsicles I can give them and it comes out of my pocket, it's OK."
Lenne has been in business for about five months. He partners with organizations like Barrio Restoration, handing out free popsicles to volunteers who clean up neighborhoods, and Para Todos, an organization that hosts all-inclusive monthly birthday parties for kids.
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Lenne came out to the August drop-in birthday party hosted by Para Todos and Amore for Medically Complex Families on Sunday.
9-year-old Kaysen Serrano lined up with other kids at the truck, weighing the tough decision of which ice cream to get. He approves of what Sweet Tooth is doing.
"I think it's really nice and I like ice cream, so it's great," Kaysen said.
For families like Ethan Bennett's, events like these make a significant difference. Ethan is disabled and, according to his 13-year-old sister Elliott, he's not always invited to parties. What Para Todos does, she said, makes him feel seen.
"It means a lot because at birthday parties here, he's a lot more accepted and he gets invited here and is welcome, but other birthday parties, he may not be invited," Elliott said. "He's much more happier and he loves interacting with all the other kids here. He's like covered in blue Sonic ice cream."
Krystina Diaz, founder of Amore for Medically Complex Families, said the partnership between organizations reflects a shared commitment to the community.
"It's really nice when you get to collaborate with people who have the same vision as you and they just want to help the kids and make memories and just lasting things they can talk about later," Diaz said.
Lenne says as a father of six kids, he knows how hard it is, so if he can make a difference for other families, that's what he'll do. He says the reward is in the smiles.
"The smiles are absolutely worth it. That's one of my favorite things is, even when adults come up. I mean when they walk away with a smile, I've succeeded at my job," Lenne said.
Lenne said he meets people where they're at, financially and physically.
"I just charge you for whatever you guys buy. If you wanna book me for an event, you just call me, and if I have an opening on my schedule, I'll just show up, you know," Lenne said.
Lenne did recently have a setback, having to buy another generator to keep his ice cream truck and business running.
Community members started a fundraiser to help him continue giving back. K. Alexandra Monaco said what truly inspired her to launch it is how Sweet Tooth treats the children.
"We have all seen it: a group of kids gathers around an ice cream truck, but one or two have to stand aside because they don’t have the money to buy a treat. Sweet Tooth routinely steps in to bridge that gap. They quietly give free ice cream to children who cannot afford it, ensuring that no child ever feels left out, excluded, or less-than when they are with their peers. That simple act of dignity and inclusion means the world to a child," Monaco told KGUN 9 in a statement.
Lenne was not expecting this at all.
"The gesture was monumental. I mean, I read it and I got teary eyed. I got emotional about it because she went out of her way to do something that grand gesture for me, which she's like, well, you deserve the recognition. But that's not why I started it, but I will take it. Like I said, it's just about helping people," Lenne said.
He said the reciprocation is just beautiful.
If you're interested in booking Sweet Tooth or would like to show some support, you can find it on all social media platforms and 520-354-3671.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Vanessa Gongora is KGUN 9's Westside reporter.. Vanessa fell in love with storytelling by growing up in sports. She was fascinated by how sports reporters go beyond the x's & o's to tell players' stories, and how sports bring people together, inspiring Vanessa to provide the same impact as a journalist. Share your story ideas and important issues with Vanessa by emailing vanessa.gongora@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
