The weekly distribution moved from Oldham\u2019s front yard to the storefront a couple of months ago, said Hao Tran, head chef and owner of the grocery store. The number of people who come by to grab food tripled over the last two months, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t ask questions. We don\u2019t take any applications,\u201d Tran said. \u201cIt\u2019s just open to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oldham\u2019s efforts started informally when he began distributing meals to people along East Lancaster Avenue, where many resources and shelters for those experiencing homelessness are located. Oldham, a chef by training, became sober more than two years ago and sought to support others during difficult stages of their lives through food.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made the decision on the spot to never stop giving food as long as I\u2019m able to,\u201d Oldham said.<\/p>\n
What started with simple distribution out of his car morphed into a grassroots culinary movement, Oldham said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since its launch, Meals with Meaning has donated more than 35,000 chef-prepared meals and created partnerships with local chefs, restaurants and farms.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6884-1024x683.jpg\")
Produce is placed outside Hao\u2019s Grocery & Caf\u00e9 on March 28, 2026. The distribution was part of the partnership between the Near Southside storefront and Meals with Meaning, a Tarrant County nonprofit that distributes chef-curated meals to those in need. (Ismael M. Belkoura | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
For Tran, the nonprofit\u2019s mission aligns with her culinary work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said yes immediately,\u201d she said of her months-long partnership with Oldham.<\/p>\n
Alongside working with Tran, Meals with Meaning works with chefs each month to highlight their culinary creations through supper clubs.<\/p>\n
Chief Financial Officer Steve Estes, who is also the director of operations for brunch restaurant Brewed, said the supper clubs allow the nonprofit to raise funds while also bringing more industry people into the fold.<\/p>\n
He noted the long-term goal is effectively becoming a catering business for local restaurants to distribute meals to those who are food insecure. Estes found that after hearing about the mission, chefs in Tarrant County want to get involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a catalyst,\u201d Estes said. \u201cIt\u2019s something for everybody to revolve around and get into.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the buy-in is not taken for granted by Oldham.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re chefs. We know how to cook, and that\u2019s how we give,\u201d Oldham said. \u201cThat\u2019s what we try to do whenever we have these events. What\u2019s in our hearts is to use our talents to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n