Man Treats Homeless to a Four-Star Feast

Joel Testa, a developer living in Akron, Ohio, turned 42 recently but in lieu of gifts, he asked for something else. He requested help in making the holidays happier for the area's homeless by treating them to a meal at a local four star restaurant.



Joel Testa, a developer living in Akron, Ohio, turned 42 recently but in lieu of gifts, he asked for something else.

He requested help in making the holidays happier for the area's homeless. A big part of granting that wish involved organizing a gourmet meal at Akron's d.b.a. restaurant.

Testa co-owns the establishment, so securing the locale wasn't a problem.


Both his family and the community helped with some of the details.

People went around and handed out tickets for the feast.

The city offered free trolley service to the restaurant. People living too far outside of the route to take advantage of the shuttle were picked up and driven to the dinner by volunteers.

Once the group had arrived and was seated at a long, family-style table set with fine china and crystal, the food started to appear.

In total there were four courses. The dining experience began with a spinach quiche salad followed by potato leek soup.

The entrée was braised beef short ribs and a desert was chocolate mousse.

At the end of the evening, the leftovers and some scarves made by a Girl Scout troop were given to the guests.