Three Degree Charity: House of Hope

DANVILLE (WSLS 10) - Each month, WSLS 10 highlights a charity in Southwest Virginia.

This month, we are shining the spotlight on the House of Hope in Danville.

Almost every afternoon, House of Hope Director Stephen Anderson picks up the leftover food from Danville Regional Medical Center's cafeteria and uses it to help feed people staying at the shelter.

"I can't tell you how awesome that is because we don't have to have any cooks at the shelter for our evening meal and the electricity we'd be using," Anderson emphasized.

The amount of food varies from day to day, but there is almost always something everyone will enjoy.

"Sometimes we have the cart full and sometimes we don't have as much, but they like pizza, chicken, you name it; burgers, fries. Sometimes we have specials; steak," said DRMC Dietary Supervisor Rosalyn Womack.

House of Hope is a faith-based homeless shelter which Anderson started in 2009 after his brother, who is a pastor, approached him with the idea.

Since then, Anderson said the shelter has helped countless people get back on their feet.

"We're a 30-day shelter, but we also can take a person up to 60 days depending on the first 30 days; how they did while they were there," explained Anderson.

For Danville Regional Medical Center, partnering with House of Hope has been a blessing.

"You have no idea how it makes us feel because we look at the television, we look at these disasters in diverse places and it just gives us a real sense of hope that there are people in this world that do care and do love and do give," said Womack.

The Salvation Army also partners with House of Hope.

For shelter guests who qualify, the Salvation Army provides them with a voucher to pick out 10 clothing items from the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

Anderson said he can't thank the community enough for helping him help so many people over the past eight years and all those who will come through the shelter in the future.