Groundbreaking of New Restaurant and Training Facility: LuLu’s Kitchen

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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.

Support the life-transforming work of St. Matthew’s House.

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.

Find out more about our social enterprises.

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.

Read today’s Naples Daily News article featuring the groundbreaking.

Watch the Wink News story.

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Congratulations to Bianca and Selina on recently receiving a Core Value Award! 👏

Bianca and Selina processed over 16,000 gifts during our second quarter! Their supervisor says she’s proud of their hard work and commitment to excellence.

#StMatthewsHouse #nonprofit #charity #SWFL #SouthwestFlorida #Florida #FL #excellence #CoreValueAward #EmployeeRecognition
Video Reels With support from our community partners, GL Homes and Youth Haven, 22‑year‑old Dezeree received a shopping spree to shop at our thrift stores and help in her transition into her own living space. 🤗

Dezeree has dreams of becoming a nurse and helping people, and this marks the first step of the next chapter of her life. We’re so proud to walk alongside her on her journey! 💙

#StMatthewsHouse #nonprofit #charity #SWFL #SouthwestFlorida #Florida #GLHomes #CommunityPartner #YouthHaven #StMatthewsHouseThriftStores
✨ Join us for an unforgettable night of music and purpose on Friday, February 27, 2026! ✨

Experience An Inspirational Evening with André Knevel — a stunning organ concert and reception supporting St. Matthew’s House.

🎟️ VIP & General Admission tickets are available now! Link in bio.
Video Reels Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the one year anniversary of our Fort Myers Shelter for Women & Children!

We are so grateful to be working alongside such wonderful #CommunityPartners who are dedicated to make a difference for these women and children.

#StMatthewsHouse #nonprofit #charity #SWFL #SouthwestFlorida #Florida #LeeCounty #FortMyers #shelter
Video Reels Every face has a story. 💛

Watch this powerful moment and see how lives are being transformed every day at St. Matthew’s House.

Discover more stories of transformation through our Faces Beyond Homelessness art exhibit. Link in bio!

#StMatthewsHouse #nonprofit #charity #SWFL #SouthwestFlorida #FacesBeyondHomelessness #art #exhibit #WendyWagner
Carousel Birthday smiles all around! 🥳 

Last week we celebrated the first birthday of our Fort Myers Shelter for Women & Children, and it was a beautiful celebration of what community can do.

A huge thank‑you to our incredible community partners—especially Next Level Church—for showing up, giving back, and helping create pathways for our residents. 💛 

#StMatthewsHouse #nonprofit #charity #SWFL #SouthwestFlorida #Florida #FortMyers #LeeCounty #shelter #HomelessShelter #celebrate #birthday #CommunityPartners @nextlevelswfl #NextLevelChurch
Join us in congratulating John who was recently presented with a Core Value Award! 👏

Through his role, he has displayed a willingness to help the facilities team, demonstrated excellence with his enthusiastic attitude and a God-honoring approach to any task.

“I am blessed to work with him and his team daily,” said a coworker.

#StMatthewsHouse #nonprofit #charit #SWFL #SouthwestFlorida #Florida #CoreValueAward #EmployeeRecognition #excellence #helpful #GodHonoring