When floodwaters ripped through Kerrville and the Camp Mystic communities in early July, they left behind wrecked cabins, washed-out roads, and families grasping for anything solid. In Fort Worth, chef Tim Love responded the way Texans do — quickly, and with heart.
His answer came stitched into a piece of headwear. Hats with Heart, a limited-edition cap campaign, is raising funds for grief counseling and relief meals, turning a simple symbol into something tangible for those hit hardest.
All proceeds from the hats go directly to two efforts: mental health services provided through M2G Ventures’ Mental Health Initiative, and fresh meals delivered by World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit led by chef José Andrés that mobilizes quickly in the wake of natural disasters. Love, whose restaurants have become cornerstones of the Stockyards, said the campaign came from a deep sense of urgency — and responsibility.
“Texas is a big place,” he said, “but in moments like these, we become one tight-knit community.”
The collaboration with M2G Ventures is more than symbolic. Since 2017, the Fort Worth-based development firm has invested in mental health advocacy and access, pushing for earlier intervention and better outcomes. But this marks the first time the Initiative has been activated in direct response to a natural disaster.
Jessica Miller Essl, who co-founded M2G alongside her sister Susan Gruppi, said the grief in Central Texas is far-reaching — and long-lasting. “The tragedy that is unfolding in front of us is unimaginable for so many people, in and outside of our community,” Essl said. “We will stand with them however we can for forever. This is just the first step.”
Back in the Stockyards, Love and his restaurant community are going beyond the hat. From July 10 through July 31, donation stations will be set up across the district. Items like canned goods, diapers, pet food, first aid kits, and school supplies can be dropped off at participating businesses including Hotel Drover, 97 West Kitchen & Bar, H3 Ranch, the Stockyards Hotel, Hyatt Place Historic Stockyards, and the Stockyards Visitors Center.
It’s not the first time Love has stepped in to help strangers. During the pandemic, he kept kitchens open when few others did — launching pop-ups, rolling out curbside service, and doing whatever it took to get meals into people’s hands. Hats with Heart continues that boots-on-the-ground mentality.
For Love, it’s not just about raising money. It’s about raising hope.
“We hope folks will wear this hat proudly as a sign that together, we can offer strength — and most importantly, hope — to our fellow Texans when they need it the most.”