OPEN FOR GOOD
When the pandemic hit, we closed the dining room at Taste Community Restaurant to the public; but the needs of our community were growing. People were out of work and schools were closed. In the first week, one of our District Managers at the City of Fort Worth received phone calls from 51 families looking for access to food.
So we did what we know best, we continued to feed people.
Every day we had over 100 people lined up around the building. Our employees adjusted quickly to meet the needs of our guests. They donned facemasks and grace; and they worked 6-day weeks to ensure we can maintain our service days.
The dining room was quiet. We encouraged our volunteers to follow the stay-at-home order and remain healthy until we can reopen. So, the normal bustling of Taste Buds was missing.
Guests were lined up 6-feet apart and everything was contact-free–just air-hugs, waves, thumbs ups, and smiles.
I didn’t think this was the vision that God had given me for Taste. Each day was full of barriers, social distancing, and fear. But despite this, God continued to open doors and we still managed to connect with people over food. While our dining room was closed, we connected over 3,000 times!
“My meal at Taste each day is the best part of my day.” – Guest.
Now the dining room is back open, and we are continuing to connect. Good happens here 6 tables at a time; meeting individuals one or two at a time.
Paul has something to look forward to each week. Tim is needed and takes orders from guests. Stacey enjoys another Mother’s Day brunch with her family. Elizabeth meets up with friends. Leslie finds purpose in pouring drinks. Marti finds rest from the heat. Brian enjoys his favorite crispy potatoes. John learns a skill. And the list goes on…
Closure is not an option. And thanks in part to the Amon G. Carter Foundation, the United Way of Tarrant County, and generous individual donors like you, we are OPEN FOR GOOD!
Taste Community Restaurant
1200 South Main Stree
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
