Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherrell Johnson.
Hi Sherrell, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a child, I grew up homeless. Being the recipient of many community-free meals, I remember wishing we could afford to eat in restaurants and have access to gourmet desserts. I have always had a mean sweet tooth. Little did I know that many years later I would turn my love for sweets into a business.
After years of being a student in the kitchen and many passed-down recipes later, I turned my love for baking into a business. Bake 350 was established (because just about everything is baked at 350 degrees). Although I found myself very fortunate and no longer living in homelessness, I have never forgotten my humble beginnings, and always had the desire to use my resources and talents to help those who were.
So, in 2020 I noticed a caterer on Facebook, Chaneice Maxton who is the owner of Catered by Chaneice, serving the homeless community in downtown Columbus, Ohio. I instantly thought this was something I could align with, so I reached out and asked if I could join her and pass out some of my desserts. She said yes and fully welcomed me.
Through this experience, I was inspired to do more. So in 2021, I started Treats4thestreets, a nonprofit that provides restaurant-quality foods, fresh baked goods, and other basic human necessities to those who are experiencing financial crises and displacement.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. Some of the struggles we have experienced along the way have been largely the lack of funding and resources. Other challenges have included, running out of food because of large crowds, lack of volunteer support, and occasionally the weather when we serve outside.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
“Treat others the way you want to be treated” is not only the tagline of T4TSTS, and what drives our mission, but it’s also how I govern my life and what I encourage those who interact with our platform. My greatest desire for Treats 4 the Streets has always been to serve the homeless community better than how I was treated when I was in their position; therefore I have been able to lead the organization with a high level of understanding of the people we serve.
Every Tuesday, since 2021 at the Columbus Downtown Library, T4TSTS has helped to provide hot meals, toiletries, blankets, shoes, and coats, to those living on the streets of Columbus. We have served over 4,000 meals within the last 20 months. Our mission is infectious and therefore we only attract volunteers with positive spirits and charismatic personalities. One of the aspects of T4TSTS that I am most proud of is our core base of volunteers.
Every week, I can proudly say we have at least 10 volunteers who consistently show up. Treats4thestreets is also a platform that offers the opportunity for local caterers, business owners, and various community groups to come together and serve. We are a platform that fills a need. I feel there are a few differences that set us apart from other nonprofits that may be doing something similar.
Some of those differences would include the quality of food we serve, our weekly hygiene product giveaway, the personal interaction our volunteers have with our guests, and the various community agents who bring in resources weekly. These local agents bring helpful information on housing, transit services, cellular service, and other free resources that are available in the community.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
In addition to being the founder of Treats4thestreets, I am a mother of 3, a Baker, a Nurse, a Financial Coach, and an Insurance Agent.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Treats4thestreets_614
- Facebook: @treats4thestreets
