Since 1999, OPA! Foods’ Founder Dean Xeros — and a team of volunteers from the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church — has been feeding the homeless at the Austin Street Center in Dallas, Texas.
Each month, they travel to downtown Dallas to create mouth-watering meals that include Greek-style chicken, green beans, rice, and fresh-baked cakes. Soon residents of the shelter began encouraging Dean to make the seasonings and recipes available to others. In 2002, Dean launched OPA! Foods thanks to the inspiration from the very people he served at the shelter.
Austin Street provides safe shelter and meets the basic needs of the most vulnerable of Dallas’ homeless population. Founded in 1983, Austin Street is the largest low-barrier shelter in the city serving men ages 45 and older and women ages 18 and older. Each person who finds shelter with Austin Street is provided a safe place to sleep, shower facilities, clothing, and warm meals.
More than just a meal and a bed, Austin Street individualized model treats the whole individual through a comprehensive program that includes: housing coordination and stabilization services; employment and education resources; benefits and ID assistance; on-site mental health services; spiritual, emotional, and addiction support; transportation; and more.
Austin Street’s goal is to help clients transition from homelessness to independence.
OPA! Foods is committed to support these wonderful initiatives by donating a portion of the proceeds from every bottle purchased.
#HelpThemHome
