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Our History
From inception HOSPITALITY has always been a priority to the Ruth Meiers Hospitality
House, Inc., insuring that all individuals walking through the door are greeted
with warmth, dignity and respect. It is for this reason that the founding board
of directors tied this core value to the character of Lieutenant Governor, Ruth
Meiers, and named the House in her memory.
Ruth Meiers is best known as a homeless shelter which opened its doors in 1987.
The first house was a single family dwelling leased from HUD for $1.00. Over the
years it has grown from that first house that accommodated seven people to the current
properties for 66 people.
Throughout the years services supplemental to housing were established. The Stone
Soup Kitchen was launched in June 1994. Named from the French folktale, “Stone Soup”
by Marcia Brown, the kitchen has grown from handing sandwiches out the back door
to serving a sit-down noon meal to an average of 50 guests each day. The Stone Soup
Kitchen provides free, nutritious and well-balanced meals to not only the homeless
but to any individual in the Bismarck-Mandan region. The Soup Kitchen provides nourishment
for the body and soul – food for the hungry and fellowship for the lonely.
Another supplemental service of Ruth Meiers is Joanne’s Healthcare Center which
was established in January of 2000. It is named after Dr. Joanne Gladden, a nursing
instructor who spent many years volunteering medical services to shelter residents.
Dr. Gladden was a critical link between the community-based health care services
and the indigent patient.
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, Inc. is a special organization that
recognizes the
potential in the people we serve.
The purpose of our work is to treat people with dignity as we help them to move toward to goal of
self-sufficiency. Everyone who participates in our program is expected to work actively toward that
same goal.
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