Food hall transforms into shelter for those in need as cold weather grips Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- As a cold weather advisory bears down on Louisville, one local business owner is stepping up to provide warmth and shelter for those in need.

Dung Tran, owner of The StrEatery Food Hall on West Woodlawn Avenue in the Beechmont neighborhood, has transformed his business into a refuge for people seeking relief from the biting temperatures. With temperatures steadily dipping, Tran decided to open his doors and offer a place of warmth, food and safety.

"They come and go as they please," Tran explained. "We have someone on standby all through the hours to make sure they're greeted and they have food ready, warm food, warm blankets."

The StrEatery, normally a bustling hub for a variety of food vendors, is now stocked with essentials for those facing the cold. Visitors will find hot meals, drinks, socks, hats, hand warmers, and gloves. The facility also provides cots for those who need to stay overnight.

For 10-year-old Conway Sanders and his family, the generosity of Tran and his volunteers has made a significant impact.

"It means a lot that God brought people like this onto earth," Sanders said. "We was low on food. We needed somewhere to go to get food, so we heard about this place and somebody reached out to us and said they could take us."

The shelter offers more than physical comfort. For many, it provides a sense of care and belonging during challenging times.

"It makes my heart feel warm," Sanders added, reflecting on the kindness extended to his family. "People helping other people makes me feel better, 'cause other people who really need help and sometimes they can't get the help, but since God brought people like this to earth, they could get help."

In addition to opening The StrEatery as a shelter, Tran has also ensured that patrons dining at the adjacent restaurant can contribute to the cause. A portion of the proceeds from meals purchased there goes directly toward supplies and support for those in need.

The initiative at The StrEatery is offering a lifeline to many as winter's chill takes hold. As volunteers and donors rally together, this gathering place has become a beacon of warmth and hope for Louisville's most vulnerable.

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