Today we’d like to introduce you to Houda Bakr.
Hi Houda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Houda-Allah, and I started Dallas Street Feeders on May 26, 2025. At its core, this work comes from a belief I’ve carried for a long time: doing good shouldn’t be something we return to once or twice a year—it should be a consistent, intentional habit. I felt a strong need to give back in a way that wasn’t tied to holidays or specific occasions, but instead rooted in regular, meaningful action.
My earliest memory of street feeding goes back to Cairo, Egypt. I was about 10 years old, helping my family cook meals and distribute them to unhoused people across the city. That experience stayed with me—the reality of hunger, the human connection, and the responsibility to show up for others. It moved me enough that I created a Facebook page called “I’m Screaming for the Poor,” which, in its own way, was my first attempt at advocacy.
Later, in high school in 2016, I began volunteering regularly with Project Downtown in the U.S., which helped shape my understanding of organized community outreach and consistency in service.
Dallas Street Feeders is really the continuation of all those moments. It’s not just about providing meals—it’s about building a culture of ongoing care, where giving back becomes part of who we are, not just something we do occasionally.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Street feeding comes with a unique set of challenges that you don’t always see from the outside. Navigating city regulations can be complicated, and working around private lot owners who don’t allow distributions has made it difficult to find consistent, safe spaces to serve. On top of that, I’ve had moments where sponsors committed to providing hot meals and then backed out last minute, which puts a lot of pressure on us to pivot quickly.
There’s also the reality of sharing space with other organizations, all trying to serve the same communities, which can sometimes create tension or overlap. These are obstacles that come with the territory, and you learn to adapt as you go.
But the biggest challenge has been building reliable support from businesses. A lot of people genuinely care about helping the unhoused, but there’s often a gap between intention and follow-through. Commitment isn’t always guaranteed, and that inconsistency can make it hard to plan and grow.
That said, creating a strong, dependable community is not easy but it is possible. And that’s what keeps me going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been in the beauty industry since 2021, doing work as a vendor and make up artist for Paco Rabanne cosmetics doing work for magazines and TV. I am the Account Coordinator for Carolina Herrera, Paco Rabanne, and Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances. What sets me apart from others is how i turned my passion turned into purpose. I am most proud of self starting and directing my nonprofit alone, Dallas Street Feeders, because its design directly reflects everything I believe in – starting with the principle that empathy is not something that’s earned. What also sets me apart from others is the way I make decisions decisively. Many spend their time, their most valuable asset, thinking about whether a decision is the most efficient one or not. I am very proud of my ability to make decisions and make the right ones along the way. The journey is where the heart of the lessons derive from. That experience is what allows me to provide value wherever I am, regardless if there was anything to work with.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is feeding the unhoused in Cairo, Egypt during Ramadan. My family and I would spend time cooking and preparing meals beef over rice, carefully packaging each one by hand so it could be given with dignity.
I remember driving to a beautiful, grand mosque, its walls covered in intricate Islamic designs, while the adhan (the call to prayer) echoed through the sky. There was something powerful about that moment, the stillness mixed with anticipation as people prepared to break their fast.
When we handed out the meals, the gratitude was immediate and genuine. People were so happy to receive a hot, comforting meal something they hadn’t expected, something that made them feel seen. That experience stayed with me. It showed me, at a young age, how meaningful a simple act of giving can be.
Pricing:
- No pricing relevant because we are a 501c3 that works on a mutual aid model. We do not accept monetary donations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dallasstreetfeeders
- Instagram: @houdabby, @dallasstreetfeeders
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dallasstreetfeeders
