The food truck is part of Harvest Home, a recovery program designed to help men transition back into society after battling drug and alcohol addiction.
SAN ANTONIO — A food truck off Loop 410 is serving more than Philly cheesesteaks – it’s serving up second chances.
At Papa Philly, the focus isn’t just on food. It’s on transformation.
“Hard work is earned,” said Nick Lilly, director of operations at Harvest Home. “I just see the transformation of a life.”
The food truck is part of Harvest Men’s Home, a recovery program designed to help men transition back into society after battling drug and alcohol addiction. Through hands-on work, participants gain job experience, structure and stability.
Lilly said the truck was created with a specific purpose in mind – to provide a safe work environment for men in recovery.
“The food truck is something that we purchased so the men that live at the home, they don’t necessarily have to get an outside job where there’s temptation that might influence them to go somewhere that may lead them to fall,” Lilly said.
The men working at Papa Philly are part of Xtreme Harvest Church’s ministry, where recovery is paired with accountability and personal growth.
For Roy Garcia, a member of Harvest Home, the experience is both challenging and rewarding.
“You’re gonna work, it’s gonna stretch you,” Garcia said. “You’re gonna be put in positions you’ve never been in. From there, that’ll show your weaknesses and what you need to work on.”
The food truck offers more than employment. It gives participants the opportunity to earn money, build confidence and prepare for life after the program.
“I don’t just give a certificate and graduation and say, ‘OK, good luck,’” Lilly said. “I make sure they leave with a car, an apartment and a job.”
Since opening its doors, Harvest Men’s Home has helped more than 100 men get back on their feet.
Don Morales, the program’s first graduate, said the experience changed his life.
“When I gave my life to the Lord, something inwardly changed,” Morales said. “If there’s something I could share with the world, it’s that. No medication, no substance, no relationship can give you the hope that Jesus Christ gives you.”
At Papa Philly, every sandwich served supports that mission. Organizers say 100% of the proceeds go back into the program, helping create a foundation for men working to start over.
Papa Philly is open Tuesday – Sunday and is located at 6727 NW Loop 410 in front of Xtreme Harvest Church.
To learn more about Harvest Men’s Home, click here.