CitySquare’s Opportunity Center is being acquired by First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, which will relocate the programs and services of its community ministry, The Stewpot, to the 53,000-square-foot facility.
The Stewpot, which serves those experiencing homelessness and poverty, and CitySquare are longtime partners with a shared commitment to meeting the basic needs of individuals in the community and helping them improve their lives.
Neighbor Resource Center at the CitySquare Opportunity Center in Dallas [Photo: FPC Dallas]
“This new facility will allow us to better deliver our programs and continue to support the 12,000 people served annually by CitySquare’s Neighbor Resource Center and Food Pantry programs,” Brenda Snitzer, executive director of The Stewpot, said in a statement. “We’re thankful for this opportunity to maintain vital services for the CitySquare community and grow the impact of The Stewpot. As we move forward in faith, we’re grateful for continued support from funders and donors as we raise the dollars for this significant undertaking that will allow us to help more Dallas neighbors in need.”
The Stewpot said that in recent years, its programs have tripled in size and the ministry has outgrown its current space.
Continuing key CitySquare services
Food pantry at the CitySquare Opportunity Center in Dallas [Photo: FPC Dallas]
FPC Dallas said that when CitySquare announced earlier this year that it would cease operations and sell its property by the end of the year, the church, on behalf of The Stewpot, engaged in active conversations with CitySquare about acquiring its property.
It said that CitySquare’s board of directors voted unanimously to accept The Stewpot’s proposal after a competitive and equitable process to select the best partner.
The church said that for several months, its leadership has been working through due diligence, building inspections, environmental testing, and detailed plans for the program transition. FPC Dallas members met on Sunday for a congregational vote and approved the acquisition. The closing is scheduled for Dec. 13.
The Stewpot said it will begin moving into the new space later this month.
As part of the acquisition, The Stewpot will continue two of CitySquare’s core programs: its Food Pantry and its Neighbor Resource Center. Resource navigators at the Neighborhood Resource Center help people with housing options and other resources, including SNAP, WIC, healthcare, financial assistance, mental health services, and more.
The current Stewpot building [Photo: FPC Dallas]
’50 Years of loving our neighbors’
The church said that CitySquare’s property, at the corner of Malcolm X Boulevard and I-30, is only a mile from The Stewpot’s current facility on Young Street, across the street from the church.
The Stewpot will move its operations and offices, while continuing to serve more than 1,000 meals daily at The Bridge downtown.
“You can’t tell the church’s story without talking about The Stewpot,” Rev. Amos Disasa, senior pastor of FPC Dallas, said in a statement. “We’re excited to embark on this new journey on the eve of our 50th anniversary serving our neighbors downtown. The Stewpot is a community ministry, binding us together to love and care for one another.”
Next year, the Stewpot will celebrate 50 years of positive impact and helping people break free from poverty and homelessness.
The church said the theme of “50 Years of Loving Our Neighbors” will be a centerpiece of its celebration throughout the year, marked by several milestone events.
The Stewpot has served more than 8 million meals since 1975 and has provided housing, education, stabilization, enrichment and, most of all, love to Dallas neighbors in need of support.
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