Papa Mike continues to help Fresno’s homeless

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Since 1971, Poverello House has been an invaluable resource for the Fresno community – feeding the hungry for more than 50 years.

It started with simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but now, something new is cooking called Papa Mike’s Cafe.

It’s a no-cost, full-service restaurant experience for anybody in need in the Fresno community. What’s different is that there is now a full restaurant-style menu.

Traditionally, people who came for a meal could eat whatever was being served that day. But now, they not only have options but they can also get a restaurant experience. People can order off of a menu, anything they want, and everything is freshly made to order with full table service.

It’s about giving people in need a better experience – giving them something other than a “soup kitchen.”

And for people like Floyd Fowler – it makes all the difference.

“It makes you feel more like a human being than an animal. It’s like, you give a dog the same food every day. Well, you feel like a human being. You have a choice to make, and that’s a good feeling,” he said.

Zach Darrah is the Poverello House CEO and says the mission goes beyond just feeding the hungry.

“Our tagline is ‘Where dignity is the main course here at Papa Mike’s Cafe.’ The idea is that someone’s dignity has to be affirmed before they are able to get back on track, get back on their feet,” he said. “We feel like this is a unique experience for people who are hungry and in need in our community. And it’s an experience that many of the people we serve don’t traditionally get to have, because for many of the folks we serve, not only do they not have the resources perhaps to eat in a restaurant, but also to be welcomed into a restaurant environment, which they are all welcome here.”

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