Ohio Man Provides 4-Star Meal for 50 Homeless on Christmas

By Sami K. Martin, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, December 26, 2013

An Akron, Ohio man decided to spread Christmas cheer and some of his wealth with 50 of the city's homeless. Several people joined in to make the holiday rather special for those fortunate enough to attend the dinner.

Joel Testa, a developer, and his wife Mary decided to give the homeless an extra-special holiday. They decided to open their restaurant, d.b.a., to 50 homeless guests and prepare a meal fit with all the trimmings. Those in attendance were also given seconds and left with bags full of food. Testa is hopeful that his actions can help change the public perception of homeless people.

"Generally, people are afraid of the homeless," he told The Akron Beacon. "The homeless are not lepers. Homelessness can happen to anyone."

Those given a ticket to the feast dined on spinach quiche salad, potato leek soup, braised short ribs, and a chocolate mousse dessert. They dined on seconds as well and everyone left with takeout bags filled with leftovers. Testa's daughter's scout troop made scarves to donate to the homeless as they left the dinner.

The city of Akron helped provide free travel accommodations to the restaurant, and volunteers offered to pick up those who were not along the trolley's route. The entire evening was valued at $2,000, but it was just a drop in the hat for Testa, who wanted the less fortunate to experience a night of fine dining and a bit of normality.

"They handed me a ticket and said it was for a four-star restaurant," one of the diners, Chris Matthews, explained. "I didn't even know there was one in Akron."

Testa has become known for wanting to provide permanent housing to those who do not have a place to call home. He has a plan to provide at least one 60-unit apartment complex for veterans, the homeless and the disabled. According to reports, there are around 800 homeless people in the city of Akron.