Today St. Matthew’s House was joined by our closest friends and supporters for the long-anticipated groundbreaking of a brand new, state of the art restaurant called LuLu’s Kitchen.
After serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 7 days a week in the same building since 1994, St. Matthew’s House has outgrown its kitchen facilities. In keeping with our social enterprise model, we have envisioned a new multifaceted facility, combining a catering kitchen for Delicious by Design as well as a restaurant that will be open to the public for breakfast and lunch.
This central kitchen will also be utilized to train and employ men and women in the culinary field in area restaurants and at the Campbell Lodge or the Justin’s Place Recovery Program.
None of this would have been without the generous contributions made by The Holecek Family Foundation. Their vision and support have touched countless lives and transformed the futures of many men and women who have come to St. Matthew’s House. We are especially grateful for their partnership.
St. Matthew’s House believes in social enterprises because they create a source of sustainable income for our organization, and they provide much-needed jobs for people in our care.
Currently, St. Matthew’s House owns and operates several unique businesses across thirteen locations in Southwest Florida including five thrift stores, a Starbucks café, two catering companies, a car wash and detailing center, and an inn and retreat center. These social enterprises generate nearly 70% of the income needed to operate St. Matthew’s House. Because sustainable enterprises cover all of the fundraising and administrative costs for the entire organization— 100% of every dollar donated to goes directly to our transformative, life-saving programs.
Tags: Culinary Program, culinary training, Delicious by Design, kitchen, social enterprise, St. Matthew's House