PAUL AND ALCINA DADURIAN

Paul and Alcina Dadurian run Floyd’s Christian Restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas. Most people only make helping someone or giving to the needy a holiday effort or a New Year’s resolution, but the Dadurians give as a way of life. Their restaurant is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; the Dadurians load up their vehicles with meals and distribute them to the poor on the back streets in several cities four to five evenings a week. They have been feeding the homeless and helping the needy everyday since 1989 with no federal, state, or city funds.

During the holidays, the Dadurians were able to deliver more than 300 turkeys for families in need in December. They had previously given in excess of 280 turkeys during that same November. They also added bread, clothing and other necessities to the holiday baskets of cheer. They also delivered more than $3,000 worth of toys to children who otherwise would not have had any gifts. They also sponsor an Easter egg hunt held on the 5-acre tract of land next to their restaurant. They give away as many as 400 baskets to needy children at that time.

After the holidays have passed the Dadurians drive through the streets of Corpus Christi, Orange Grove, Sandia, Alice and Mathis passing out food and bags of groceries to the needy. They believe it is their responsibility to help others who are in need, and they know that others need to start realizing what is going on in their own backyard and make a difference. It saddens them to know that some families live in one-room shacks with no doors or windows and dirt floors. They refuse to put people through an application process that may hinder direct relief because they know the people are hungry now.

The Dadurians help some directly and others indirectly. They work with Victory Life Ministries, which is a Christian Recovery Home that houses about 20 people who are seeking spiritual recovery from addictions. The Dadurians weekly donations of food and clothes allow the staff and residents to focus on their recovery. They also employ needy people at their restaurant even if they are not in need of help. The couple believes that giving is a calling, and it is their calling.

The Dadurians’ crusade has been largely a personal one. They have received little help from other people or organizations; the money used to help those in need comes from the profits of their restaurant. They have come to a crossroad, and they have to decide whether to continue or stop because of their personal finances. Because they believe, again, that this is their calling, the Dadurians opted to sell investments to continue to feed people. Some of the greatest testaments from the Dadurians work come from home. They have witnessed their mother giving away her personal coat to someone who did not have adequate clothing. They have also seen their parents buy meals for the hungry ever since they could remember.