Shelter House, an Iowa City nonprofit that serves the needs of the homeless, is holding a barbecue fundraiser at the Iowa City Municipal Airport on Friday. The Shelter House BBQ Bash will feature family-friendly games and live music.
Shelter House, which was founded in 1983, is the only shelter in Johnson County for people experiencing homelessness. It has 70 beds available on a nightly basis. It also offers drop-in services, including shower and laundry facilities, on a daily basis.
“But it’s more than that. We work to help people find a permanent home. And, if necessary, to get back to work,” said Barb Peterson, events manager for Shelter House. “Every person who comes in is assigned a case manager to assist them.”
Shelter House has held fundraising events, but never one like the BBQ Bash, according to Peterson.
“The municipal airport and Jet Air are allowing us use of the airport’s newest hangar,” Peterson said. “The Downtown Iowa City Rotary Club’s grill masters will be grilling and smoking for us.” Entrees will include pulled pork and beef brisket, as well as a vegetarian option. Big Grove Brewery will provide craft beers and there will be ciders from Rapid Creek Cidery. Dessert will feature items from Molly’s Cupcakes and New Pioneer Co-op.
Games include a team cornhole, or bags, tournament, and a paper airplane challenge for kids. The Beaker Brothers Band will provide the music.
There will also be a pumpkin auction, with each pumpkin priced to cover a particular expense at Shelter House, such as a week’s worth of laundry detergent or the cost to shelter a person for a night.
Admission is $35 for people 13 and over. The charge for those 12 and younger is $1 for each birthday they’ve had, up to $12. Participation in the cornhole tournament is $20 per team.
