Our Initiative
Driving through downtown San Antonio one day, we were struck by the sight of numerous homeless individuals and felt compelled to help. With only leftover food from our dinner, we shared what we had, realizing how much these people rely on small acts of kindness to survive. This experience highlighted the critical issue of food insecurity and inspired us to take action.
Recognizing the widespread problem of food waste in our country, we approached local restaurant owners with a proposal: to collect their excess food and deliver it to homeless shelters and hubs. This initiative aimed to reduce food waste while providing much-needed meals to those in need.
However, in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges. The economy declined, people lost jobs, and social distancing measures made our efforts difficult. As restaurants struggled to stay afloat, we pivoted our approach. Instead of relying solely on excess food donations, we began raising funds through GoFundMe campaigns, mowing lawns, selling golf balls, and doing chores for neighbors. With this money, we negotiated with local restaurants to produce meals at a reduced cost, ensuring both the survival of these businesses and continued support for the homeless.
This initiative, which we named Dream Donations, became a lifeline for many in our community, addressing both food insecurity and the economic impact of the pandemic.
