Our History

In 1988, Dallas businessman Jim Sowell was moved by his concern for the problems associated with homelessness and poverty. He took action in response to the human suffering he observed by working with friends to launch the Central Dallas Food Pantry in a strip shopping center at Henderson and Central Expressway.

In 1990, the organization received status as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation and, due to its growth, relocated to larger quarters at 801 N. Peak in East Dallas. In August 1994, the current President and CEO, Larry James, joined the organization.  Shortly afterwards, Central Dallas Food Pantry began doing business as Central Dallas Ministries and the organization acquired an additional building at 409 N. Haskell, the current location of its food pantry.

In 2010, the Central Dallas Community Development Corporation opened the doors to a first of its kind vertical neighborhood known as CityWalk@Akard.  The 15-story building at 511 N. Akard is home to Central Dallas Ministries’ administrative headquarters.

On Monday, October 25, 2010 Central Dallas Ministries officially launched under the new name CitySquare. 

CitySquare offers a variety of poverty-fighting programs throughout Dallas as well as in San Antonio and Austin.