In a community the size of Owatonna, it doesn’t take a lot of people to make a noticeable difference.
That’s the message of Hospitality House of Owatonna’s (HHO) latest fundraising campaign, the 100 M.E.N. Challenge.
In its mission to house and support men as they transition out of homelessness, HHO is seeking 100 donors to help their fellow man.
The 100 M.E.N. Challenge, which stands for Men Encouraging Neighbors, asks each participant to donate $100. That may not sound like an enormous amount — but if the campaign hits its goal of 100 donors, it will have raised $10,000. HHO kicked off the campaign April 1 and hopes to raise the full amount by July 1.
Zach Roberts, one of the early donors to come forward, said it was exciting to be part of a movement rather than just making an individual donation.
“I just thought it was such a cool idea for how to raise funds,” said Roberts.
Roberts has seen the nonprofit’s work personally, serving on its board and as operations manager at Community Pathways of Steele County, which partners closely with HHO to help feed and clothe its residents.
He said even some people who empathize with the plight of homeless women and children don’t extend the same concern to homeless men, and that’s exactly why this campaign matters.
“I think it’s important to focus on men in this process because it’s a homeless transitional housing shelter for men, and that demographic tends to get overlooked,” said Roberts.
While HHO focuses on men from Steele County, it also accepts residents from the surrounding area because there are so few housing options for them locally, whereas there are multiple shelters for homeless women and children in the area.
Roberts said the campaign is “picking up steam” and he hopes to see more local men join the cause.
For Curt Wigham of Express Employment Professionals, committing to be one of the 100 men was an easy choice.
“If I can pitch in $100 to improve a man’s life, I don’t see why I shouldn’t do that,” said Wigham.
Wigham, whose daughter serves on the HHO board, said Express has worked with a number of residents to help them find employment. He donated to the campaign because he wanted to do his part to fight homelessness.
“I believe in what they do and I don’t want to see anyone — man, woman or child — homeless,” said Wigham.
The campaign has also attracted support from men who’ve been through the program, like David Anguria — one of the very first donors. Once a resident of HHO, Anguria previously signed on as a guest advocate at the house and recently moved up to program coordinator. He called HHO a “unique program,” one that benefitted him and one that he’s now happy to be a part of.
In addition to demonstrating that just 100 people coming together can make a difference, Executive Director Angela Wagner hopes the campaign keeps HHO in the public consciousness at a time of year when they typically see a lull in donations.
In her work at HHO, she’s seen men struggle to reach out for help when they need it. She said the campaign will serve as a reminder that help is out there, and that men need to support one another.
She noted that $100 might buy someone a hotel room for a night, but that the same money could supply three men with food, clothes, shelter and other essential resources at HHO.
Thus far, HHO has announced 15 men who’ve accepted the challenge.
TO DONATE Hospitality House of Owatonna is accepting donations via check, Venmo and its website. To learn more about the campaign and how to contribute, visit hospitalityhouseofowatonna.org/100-men 3886aca9-0bb3-410c-889c-0606baeb45ee
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