Wood Street Meal Project

What Is It?

When I first visited downtown Dallas in 2021 after I moved here from Utah, I quickly became aware of the drastic contrasts within the city. Although expensive apartments and skyscrapers were scattered around downtown, so were large groups of unsheltered peoples. Every time I walked down a new street, I saw people struggling to get by, and I found myself wondering when was the last time they had a warm meal. That thought lingered with me throughout the years, and during the same time,  my passion for cooking also developed.

That’s why I decided to start a meal distribution club focused on preparing and sharing homemade meals with people experiencing homelessness in downtown Dallas. I launched the club in summer of 2024 with one goal: offering warm, thoughtful, and nourishing meals to those often overlooked. Until now, the effort has remained small, with just myself cooking and serving meals on Wood Street. But, I am hoping to open the club to others in order to get more people involved and to make a greater difference. So if you are interested in cooking and serving meals on Sundays, please reach out and let me know!

Why Wood Street?

Although Wood Street may seem like just another block in downtown Dallas, there’s a specific reason why I chose this location. Situated between the Dallas Public Library and City Hall, Wood Street is a central spot where many people experiencing homelessness gather. Focusing on this area allows us to serve a concentrated group more efficiently and consistently. Additionally, there’s a nearby church-run meal service that operates around the same time on Sundays. However, the line for that service often becomes overcrowded, and according to several individuals I’ve spoken with, many are unable to get a meal by the time they reach the front. By serving on Wood Street, we can help bridge that gap and provide meals to those who are most in need but might otherwise go without.

Although Wood Street may seem like another block in downtown, there is a specific reason for this location. Situated between the Dallas Public Library and City Hall, Wood Street is a central spot where many people experiencing homelessness gather Focusing on this one area, it allows one to serve a concentrate group more efficiently and consistently. Additionally, Wood Street is also near a church ran meal service. However, during the lunch hours of Sunday, the lines for this meal service often become quite long, and according to individuals I have spoken with, this makes it difficult to get meals. So, by serving Wood Street, we can help bridge that gap and provide meals to those who readily need one that otherwise may go without.