One Taylor resident converted her home to fill a perceived need.
Lola Stephens-Bell, known as Queen Lola, opened an outdoor kitchen near the intersection of W. Second Street and Davis Street to feed individuals who are homeless.
“What I’m trying to do is what God says to do,” she said. “Give them food, give them shelter and give them clothes. And love them.”
Stephens-Bell, who owned Nubian Queen Lola’s Cajun Soul Food for decades in east Austin before moving to Taylor, provides free food to anyone in need.
In addition to food, visitors to Queen Lola’s outdoor kitchen can receive anything else they might need including socks, clothes, canned goods and a place to sleep.
Stephens-Bell converted a backyard shed into a shelter that now houses three.
She pays for this project by herself, gathering donations when she can.
Two weeks ago, the Taylor Press chronicled her story on video and put it up on Facebook.
People have since contacted the newspaper from as far away as San Antonio to ask how they could help support the kitchen and shelter.
“The windows of heaven have opened up and God is pouring me down a blessing,” she said. So far, Stephens-Bell has received money, canned goods, clothing and even an Amazon delivery, which she thought was a sales call.
“Yeah, I need a lot more, but you know with the blessings I’m receiving, I’m just going to thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, thank you everybody,” Stephens-Bell said. Stephens-Bell said she would prefer donations to be dropped off at the outdoor kitchen, but she set up a Venmo account for those out of town wishing to help.
The Venmo account is @thequeenlola.
As of Friday, Feb. 17, Stephens-Bell said she was still in need of another bunkbed for the shed, and she always needs more food.
She said she is touched by the outpouring and wants her neighbors to know it.
“Taylor, Texas, you got an angel that God sent me from heaven,” Stephens-Bell said. “I didn’t know He was sending me some more because Lord it’s raining angels in Taylor, Texas.”
