The Source Continues to Expand Their Acclaimed Dignity Programs

They Announce 2^nd Dignity Food Truck Launches in Early July

 

During the height of the pandemic year, The Source closely examined all their Dignity programs to continually expand the opportunity to change people’s lives. Coming in to their new fiscal year, their programs and services are exceptionally varied with their Dignity programs at the height of efficiency.

Their acclaimed Dignity Programs are based on using food as a tool to strengthen bodies physically, spiritually and economically through Dining with Dignity, Dignity Catering and Dignity Food Truck, training the homeless with professional culinary skills towards finding employment; realizing people have an incredible capacity to transform their lives through Dignity Job Opportunities and Dignity Smiles, a new subsidized dental program; and providing real housing solutions and value to the community with Dignity Bus, the community’s only Emergency Shelter. Dignity Village, a multi-acre campus offering work, housing, prayer, life-skill programs and dining within one spacious and self-contained community is currently on the drawing board.

Thanks to a 2020 grant received from Impact 100, The Source is celebrating a highly successful year with the Dignity Food Truck, which travels primarily to local business sites and events in Indian River County, Monday through Friday. They have successfully expanded that program offering a personally created menu for breakfast or lunch to local organizations, businesses or school sporting events. A private donor has stepped forward to underwrite their second food truck which will be launched in early July. The new truck will share their weekly route and special events in Indian River County but will also expand their territory to include Port St. Lucie and Brevard Counties as warranted.

Dignity Bus is a safe mobile emergency overnight shelter equipped with twenty climate-controlled sleeping pods designed for the well-being and safety of those living roughly on the streets in Indian River County. As the only emergency shelter in our community and the first of its kind in the country, the bus gets people off the street and keeps them safe and healthy until they can get back on their feet. “Since it debuted in March, those that avail themselves of this “safe haven” have consistently grown, and it’s now reaching its full capacity,” shared Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh. “Clients of The Source who are students in the Dining with Dignity Program have first right of use; while others are asked to following all guidelines and pay a token $2 nightly.” Recently people from Palm Bay and Melbourne have been making the drive to have a safe sleep on the Bus. A second Bus is being sought for future expansion of the program. Additionally, with requests from other Florida cities as well as communities in Canada, Michigan and Nebraska, have reached out for help in launching a bus in their areas. The Source is presently developing a franchise-like “Tool Kit” to successfully help other communities develop their own emergency shelters like the Dignity Bus.

Baking with Dignity is a new offshoot of Dining with Dignity offering the same 8, 12 and 16 week training model and benefits of obtaining employment in the food industry following graduation of the program. Dignity Desserts, which dovetails with that program, has been added to the Food Truck and Catering menus as a means to offer sweet treats to the public on a daily basis or through private events.

The Source, a Christian Ministry Outreach Center, offers life-changing possibilities to residents in crisis; offers emergency hunger relief, clothing, counseling, support groups, hygiene items, laundry services and much more. For more information on The Source and their programs, contact Anthony Zorbaugh at 564-0202, EXT 218. Or visit www.iamthesource.org.