Restaurants join campaign to provide Our House meals

Brian Atkins, co-owner of Brooklyn Pizza, tosses a pizza. His restaurant is one of three currently signed up to provide meals for Our House, Fulton's homeless shelter, with the help of the community.
Brian Atkins, co-owner of Brooklyn Pizza, tosses a pizza. His restaurant is one of three currently signed up to provide meals for Our House, Fulton's homeless shelter, with the help of the community.

Our House's new campaign offers a way to feed Our House residents and support local restaurants - all at the same time.

"We at Our House like to say that 'Homelessness is a community problem requiring a community solution,'" Our House Executive Director Misty Dothage said Monday. "I think we can apply that to the COVID-19 crisis. If we can pull together to support each other in creative ways as a community, then we can all be a part of a beautiful solution that pulls this community together."

Fulton's only homeless shelter has partnered with a number of local restaurants to help meet its increased need for meals.

"We went to 24-hour operations at Wiley House at the end of last week, Friday, to the meet the needs of our guests," Dothage told the Fulton Sun last week. "Things were starting to shut down. We also wanted to give them a safe place to go during the day."

Our House's Wiley House is typically only open overnight. Haven House, the family shelter, is a full-time shelter but was already at full capacity when COVID-19 reached Missouri. Dothage said homeless individuals often have weak immune systems due to malnourishment and life outside - thus, they may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

As of Tuesday morning, the Callaway County Health Department reported 17 cases of the disease in the county (11 active, and six recovered). Though some are tied to the initial outbreak at William Woods University, others are of unknown origin.

Dothage said the 20 Wiley House residents and four Haven House families are receiving three meals a day; Our House is also trying to keep up with the formula and diaper needs of several infants. The nonprofit's volunteer and monetary resources are stretched thin.

Now, there's a new way for locals to help. Simply call one of several participating local restaurants and buy a gift card for Our House. Once the total value of the purchased gift cards is sufficient to cover a meal for 20, the restaurant will prepare a meal for Our House's residents.

"It's that easy," Dothage said. "Hopefully this will help the restaurants keep their lights on and our tummies full!"

Local restaurants currently participating in the campaign include:

Brooklyn Pizza: 573-642-1122

Fulton Cafe: 573-642-8444

Beks: 573-592-7117

More may join - follow Our House's Facebook page to view current participants.

"I think it makes sense," Brooklyn Pizza co-owner Brian Atkins said. "It's hard right now for homeless people - it's hard for them any time but now especially. A lot of places are closing and a lot of people are out of work, and there's not much money."

He said supporting Our House is nothing new for the restaurant - they've contributed toward past fundraisers, too.

"As long as our health is good, we'll keep helping however we can," he said.