Tyson Foods recognizes 'Community Hero' for fight against hunger

Tyson Foods and the City of Austin publicly recognized local resident Lola Stephens-Bell and her extraordinary efforts fighting hunger in the community on Jan. 15. Stephens-Bell is the first individual honored as part of the company’s pledge to invest $50 million in cash and in-kind donations over the next five years to fight hunger, with a special focus on local initiatives.

Meet Lola Stephens-Bell, touching hearts through her soul food: www.TysonHungerRelief.com

As owner of Nubian Queen Lola’s Cajun Soul Food café for the past 12 years, Stephens-Bell sees and fights hunger every day. While running her restaurant, she serves free meals to those in need, and she closes the restaurant four days a week to drive meals to underserved people in East Austin.

Tyson Foods presented Stephens-Bell with a customized food delivery bus with newly installed features that will help the local restaurant owner take her spirit of feeding the hungry to more communities in the Austin area.

“When we first met Lola a few months ago, we were completely blown away by her selfless dedication to serving others,” said Sara Lilygren, executive vice president, corporate affairs at Tyson Foods, Inc. “It’s people like Lola – people who treat hunger not as an abstract idea, but as a problem that can be solved one meal at a time – that make a difference. And Tyson Foods is honored to support Lola’s dedication to the community.”

Tyson Foods also announced that it will continue to support Stephens-Bell’s efforts with twice-a-week donations of protein to her operation. A large product donation was made in Stephens-Bell’s honor from Tyson Foods to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas to benefit members of the community.

“When I started feeding the hungry 12 years ago, I didn’t realize the impact it would have not only on the community, but also on me,” Stephens-Bell said. “I came from nothing, so it means everything to give. I’d like to thank Tyson Foods, not only for supporting me, but for also supporting Austin.”

Stephens-Bell was presented with the renovated bus at Austin’s Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex. In attendance were City Council Member Ora Houston, Community Cabinet member Dr. Kazique J. Prince, Chief Justice Jeff Rose of the Third District Court of Appeals, and Stephens-Bell’s many friends and family members.

Stephens-Bell was further recognized by Mayor Steve Adler in a mayoral proclamation establishing Jan. 15 as Lola’s Meals that Matter Day. Members of the public that would like to support Stephens-Bell and her work are encouraged to donate to her directly through her Generosity by Indiegogo crowdfunding page.