One church opening its door to the area’s homeless has garnered an outpouring of support from an entire community.

Organizations and individuals have been showering the shelter with donations and support after St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church opened its Rosary Hall as a warming shelter on Jan. 21.

Wednesday evening, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health department along with Olive Garden showed their support for the shelter by donating vaccines and dinner, respectively.

The health department set up a Hepatitis A vaccination station in the warming shelter for those interested in getting the vaccine. 

“People experiencing homelessness is an increased risk group for Hepatitis A because of their limited access to sanitation and healthcare,” Jennifer Hiestand, ZMCHD Public Information Officer, said.

In the past, the health department has vaccinated those experiencing homelessness in the area, but the warming shelter is a great place to vaccinate many people at one time.

Hepatitis A vaccines are typically administered in two doses six months apart to protect against the disease for 40 years, a nurse with ZMCHD said. While not everyone follows up to receive the second dosage, one dose can protect a person from Hepatitis A for 10 to 11 years.

Much like the health department, the local branch of Olive Garden is donating the best way it knows how, with soup and bread sticks.

Beverly Newman, a serving professional and marketing coordinator for Olive Garden in Zanesville, said the restaurant wanted to get involved after learning of the St. Thomas congregation’s efforts.

“It’s so cold,” Newman said. “We all just wanted to jump right on board.”

Olive Garden donated soup and bread sticks to the warming shelter for dinner which begins shortly after the shelter opens at 5 p.m.

While the restaurant is working to fill a need for a night, the employees at Olive Garden are taking the donations one step further by hosting an in-house drive for gloves, hats and other winter item  to donate to the shelter, as well.

“Our boss (Tim Boland) is really involved in the community,” Newman said. “Anything that anyone needs, he’s there all the time.”

Newman added that the winter gear drive is strictly an effort from the Olive Garden staff in an effort to help those in the community rather than a restaurant-branded drive to promote the business.

For more information on this story:

• St. Thomas warming shelter to remain open during freezing weather this winter
• Zanesville church opening doors to homeless to fight off cold Monday night