Food and Shelter for Hope
Hospitality House hosts annual luncheon Aug. 21

By Cara Kelly

The Hospitality House will host its annual Food and Shelter for Hope Luncheon event at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center on Aug. 21, during which the public phase of the Combined Campaign for a new facility will be introduced.

The luncheon is a free event open to the public to raise awareness of homelessness in the High Country, thanks to the underwriting of the Ginn Corporation, which has sponsored the event for the past three years.

“We would like to have the community aware of the project and participate because these are our neighbors,” said Ann Spinetto, Hospitality House board member. “The first thing some people say to me if they don’t know about the Hospitality House is that they didn’t know we have homeless people here because it’s not as visible as it is in big cities.”

Through the luncheon and other outreach programs, the board and volunteers of the Hospitality House hope to inform the public that homelessness does not happen to only those who may be addicted to substances or are not fiscally responsible. People with various circumstances find themselves unable to pay rent or a mortgage, and need a helping hand, according to Spinetto. Through her work with the house, Spinetto says she realized how easy it is for people to find themselves without a roof over their heads, and that misfortunes can befall anyone.

The appropriately titled theme of the campaign, Giving Hope a Hand, enacts the mission of the Hospitality House, which simply put, is offering a hand up, not a hand out.

The Hospitality House has been operating out of three buildings on King Street in downtown Boone, running the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen, emergency shelter and WeCAN crisis assistance ministry from outdated, residential buildings. In 2006, board member Kent Tarbutton, who also owns Chetola Resort, sent his head of maintenance from the resort to analyze the buildings and determine what needed immediate improvements. When the maintenance specialist returned to the board with an extensive list, the decision was made to look into a new facility to better serve the community. After viewing a feasibility study and support levels from local residents, the board decided the project could be accomplished, and took it to the county commissioners’ office. A 1.9 acre lot was given to the Hospitality House by the Watauga County Commissioners for the construction of a new building that will centralize all of the services provided by the non-profit and will offer much needed additional space.

The board has been conducting a capital campaign this summer before it opens the public campaign starting after the presentation of plans for the new facility at the Aug. 21 luncheon. The combined campaign is aptly titled, as it will incorporate fundraising goals, including both capital needs for construction and operation services for various programs.

The Hospitality House of Boone currently serves seven counties in western North Carolina. The three buildings on King Street can house 35 people in emergency situations, but offer no separation between women, children and men who take advantage of the service. The future building will be able to shelter nearly double the current occupancy, with space for 62.

The soup kitchen serves an average of 50 people per meal, according to Spinetto. Yet, the kitchen in which the program operates has only two tables and is the size for an average family of four, not a commercial property.

To reserve a seat at the luncheon or request more information, visit www.hospitalityhouseofboone.org or call the office at (828) 262-3461.