DogHouse DeKalb gets $10,000 pledge, is $3,000 short of goal with 5 days to go

The founders of the DogHouse DeKalb, which would be NIU’s first food truck, stand with NIU President Doug Baker (in red) at Homecoming in October.

By Northern Star Staff
November 20, 2014

The DogHouse DeKalb, which is using a Kickstarter to fund what would be NIU’s first food truck, received a $10,000 pledge today.

The “large” pledge — which makes up half of the $20,000 sought by the Doghouse DeKalb — was more than DogHouse co-founder Jordan Delegal expected, he said. Delegal said the food truck, which would serve gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches on campus and at sporting events, has received a number of partnership opportunities, but he would not say who pledged the $10,000. That person used the moniker “Sammy Lunchbox.”

The DogHouse DeKalb is now about $3,000 shy of meeting its Kickstarter goal. It must raise that money within five days to receive any of the funds pledged by users.

Delegal said the money will be raised through outreach efforts and a “push” for pledges. He and co-founders Elliot Echols and Keith Otis will host an event in Chicago with alumni and community members and will encourage them to pledge money toward the project.

The food truck is “not a charity case,” Delegal said, because it will help students by employing them. He said students need to be more involved with the Kickstarter.

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