Dine out for a purpose through Sunday

Five local restaurants participating in benefit for family shelter

Today through Sunday, May 10-13, are the last four days to dine out for the purpose of helping homeless families during Family Dinner Week.

Family Dinner Week encourages families to dine together at any or all of five local restaurants in an effort to support homeless families in transition at the Maclellan Shelter for Families. The restaurants, in turn, will donate a percentage of sales to the shelter. The fundraiser ends Mother’s Day, May 13.

“We are truly grateful for the generous support of the f ive restaurants who are participating in the inaugural Family Dinner Week: A Benefit for the Maclellan Shelter for Families,” says Jens Christensen, president and chief executive officer of the Community Kitchen.

“Whether patronizing these locally owned eateries for breakfast, lunch or dinner, a percentage of every meal will support homeless families who are trying to get back on their feet at the family shelter.”

The Maclellan Shelter for Families, the first shelter of its kind in Chattanooga, opened its doors in 2014. It features 13 units with 64 beds.

Other emergency shelters in Chattanooga have gender restrictions that often result in families being separated. Fathers with young daughters are unable to be sheltered with them, and mothers with young sons are separated. To date, 318 families have called the Maclellan Shelter for Families home.

For more i nformation about Family Dinner Week: 423-756-4222.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Maclellan Shelter for Families is the first shelter of its kind in Chattanooga, allowing families to remain together instead of being separated by gender, as is the policy of other shelters. The Maclellan Shelter features 13 units with 64 beds.