“It is the primary purpose of Peter Maurin House, Inc. d/b/a Hope House to offer homeless or needy individuals in the City of Utica, New York and its environs a daytime opportunity for shelter, a hot nutritious meal, and referral if desired, to any needed human service. It is the intention that the Corporation cooperate with other agencies, but not duplicate services already available in the community.” As we are able, we will also seek to meet other basic daily needs of the indigent in our community, however, our first purpose will remain that of feeding all who come to us in hunger.
Hope House has served the homeless and needy individuals in Utica, New York since 1992. A local priest saw need in his neighborhood and decided to take the initiative and seek a solution to a resonating problem in the community.
Hope House began serving just over 7,000 meals a year and has evolved to serving over 90,000 meals per year. These are numbers that truly demonstrate the drive and commitment to improve the community Hope House has had and has shown no declension over the course of 22 years.
Hope House provides three meals a day which often include:
- Vegetables
- Pasta, Potato or Rice
- Fresh Salad
- Fruit
- Dessert
- Beverage
Hope House assures that all essential foods are accommodated while creating a safe environment to sit and chat as well as a providing a referral system to any needed human service. Hope House ensures that all of its visitors receive warm meals along with the resources necessary to stimulate growth among the visitors.
Visitors come from all walks of life. Many have addictions, illnesses, low wage earnings, or lost homes. Hope House is a non-referral agency, meaning anyone who walks through our doors, whether they are homeless or in need of stretching their dollars, are welcomed with open arms to share in a meal.
Hope House would not be able to function if it were not for the hundreds of marvelous volunteers that have made our services readily available. Today, there are over 150 volunteers per week from over 70 churches and community organizations who donate their time and talent to realizing the ultimate goal of Hope House. In essence, Hope House aims to cater a warm meal along with a friendly environment and giving referrals to any human service in order to promote self-sufficiency and improvement in the quality of life of the hungry community in Utica, New York.