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The Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, Inc. provides housing and supportive services to assist homeless
and low-income people in achieving self-sufficiency.
Community Benefit
On January 25, 2006 a Point In Time Survey was conducted by the North Dakota Coalition
for Homeless People. That survey found that on any given day in the Bismarck-Mandan
area there are 150 homeless persons, 96 were adults and 54 were children under the
age of 18. Many of the individuals had multiple reasons for their homeless episode.
The following are the top ten reasons for the homelessness:
1. Can’t afford rent
2. History of substance abuse
3. Unemployed
4. Criminal background
5. Money management problems
6. Family breakup
7. Bad credit
8. Mental illness
9. Parolee or probationer
10. Underemployed
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House provides a vital service to the Bismarck-Mandan Community.
In 2005, Ruth Meiers provided:
• 3,759 nights of emergency shelter to 377 homeless men-average length of stay was
9.7 nights. Many of these individuals were able to find employment and move into
community based permanent housing.
• 8,550 Stone Soup Kitchen meals to a total of 5,858 adults and 465 children. A
recent survey said that for 38% of the guests at the Soup Kitchen it was the only
meal they eat that day; 33% said that it is the only meal they do not eat alone
and 67% find that the meals provides help to supplement their own money for groceries.
• Medical care to 118 patients through Joanne’s Healthcare Center. Patients received
help ranging from skin care, diabetic testing and education, blood pressure checks,
and referrals to area physicians and dentists.
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