“I would have died,” Wayne says quietly, reflecting on the night he found himself alone and without shelter. “If it weren’t for Our Daily Bread.”
Wayne grew up on a ranch in East Texas and later built a life in Hawaii. Eventually he moved to Dallas where a series of financial and medical hardships left him without support.
During his devastating first night on the streets, Wayne walked into a coffee shop. A compassionate barista noticed him and called a suicide hotline; a decision Wayne credits with saving his life. After a short inpatient stay, he was referred to Our Daily Bread.
Everything changed at the shelter. He partnered with a case manager to rebuild his future. He learned to budget, applied for Social Security benefits, and began counseling.
Wayne is now working as a handyman and has maintained permanent housing for a year.
“I’m excited to have a place to call home again,” he says.
For more than 25 years, Our Daily Bread has been a steady presence of compassion in Denton. The story began when local church members started serving lunch at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church downtown. The ministry grew as need increased.
The Monsignor King Outreach Center later opened its doors at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, allowing individuals experiencing homelessness to sleep indoors. Each morning, guests would leave the shelter and walk to St. Andrew for meals and guidance. For years, the two ministries operated in partnership.
In 2020, the shelter and Our Daily Bread officially merged, streamlining operations and expanding services at a critical time. By December 2022, the organization had become the central hub for homeless services along Loop 288.
The demand was unprecedented. In 2024 alone, well over 1,800 individuals sought services. Denton County experienced a dramatic increase in people needing assistance, with many coming from across the metroplex. The sheer volume strained resources and underscored the need for a more sustainable approach.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Wendy McGee, Our Daily Bread made a strategic shift. Rather than functioning solely as an emergency shelter, the organization launched a housing-focused model in September of last year. According to Development Director Jenna Edwards, the goal was to create pathways out of homelessness.
“We have the opportunity to bring people and resources together to make a positive impact on the lives of others in our community,” Edwards says. “Working with our guests every day is a blessing.”
Today, Our Daily Bread operates three primary programs:
• A day shelter open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. offering meals, classes, and supportive services.
• A housing-focused transitional shelter with separate men’s and women’s wings with full wraparound case management.
• An inclement weather shelter activated during severe storms or extreme temperatures.
The impact has been measurable. In 2024, 136 individuals were housed or stabilized. That number reached 173 last year.
“Above all, our long-term goal is a community where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring,” explains McGee.
Case management is highly individualized. Some guests need assistance securing disability benefits or placement in assisted living. Others benefit from job training, addiction recovery support or mental health resources. The Ready for Work program teaches soft skills and provides paid transitional employment opportunities in partnership with the City of Denton.
Edwards describes the experience offered to guests as a second chance.
“Imagine being at one of the lowest points of your life and then walking into a place where no matter who you are or what your past holds, you are greeted with warmth, dignity, a meal and a chance to start again.”