09/02/2026
The assignment as I understand it is:
We have one job on this earth: to love and care for one another. If you’re not doing that, it may be time to rethink your life.
When I first arrived on Galveston Island in June 2009, I spent nine months at 2028 Broadway trying to open ShyKatZ.
I thought I was simply going through the hardships of starting a business. I didn’t understand then that God had me in a different kind of boot camp—one that was teaching me how to look more like Jesus.
Galveston was still recovering from Hurricane Ike. There were no grocery stores open, and we still didn’t have gasoline on the island.
Not knowing what else to do with my time, I began gathering food from the few resources available. Sometimes it came from an occasional food truck; sometimes from the Houston Food Bank truck, the Gleaning of the Harvest, St. Vincent’s or Our Daily Bread. Wherever food was available, I gathered what I could, took it home, cooked it and fed people at no charge.
While I was waiting for the Lord to move on my behalf, I became interested in what God was interested in—and He became interested in the desires of my heart.
I would tell people, “Eventually, I’m going to open a restaurant.” And all those folks helped pray this place into existence.
I had no idea that feeding people would become one of the greatest desires of my heart. Truthfully, I was lost. I was simply doing what I knew to do with what I had.
Then one day, all the pieces were finally in place, the doors opened and ShyKatZ was born—not even at that original location.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
—Zechariah 4:10
Sixteen years later, I can see that those nine months were never wasted time. God wasn’t only preparing me to open a restaurant—He was showing me what the heart of the restaurant was always going to be.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us… Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.”
—1 John 3:16–18
That is why being able to host the Community Fridge on our property means so much to me. This beautiful Community Fridge is the love child of its founder, Tasha Seeba, and I couldn’t be more blessed that she chose ShyKatZ as its home.
Tasha’s vision, compassion and commitment to serving our community are what brought this fridge to life. She tirelessly tends to it every day. It isn’t simply a refrigerator sitting outside a restaurant. It is a place where love becomes action—a place where neighbors help neighbors, people give what they can and those in need take what they need.
So when we walk over to that Community Fridge, gather a few ingredients, bring them home and prepare a meal—and then place those finished meals back into the fridge for someone who needs them—it takes me right back to those early days. Those are days I will be eternally grateful for.
If you have something to give, please leave what you can. If you are hungry, take what you need. No shame. No questions. Just neighbors taking care of neighbors.
What I once thought was hardship was really preparation. God wasn’t only teaching me how to build a business. He was teaching me how to serve His people.
Love big. Feed people. Look like Jesus. ❤️
—Kat
Owner and Founder of ShyKatZ
📍1528 Avenue L • Galveston, Texas
