Local restaurants offer warm welcome for homeless to escape the cold

Posted on January 30, 2019
Applebee's
Applebee’s at Veterans Parkway and Eastland Drive and IHOP on East Empire opened their doors as warming centers for the homeless during the brutal cold snap. (Photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A couple of east side restaurants are offering the homeless a place to stay out of the cold.

Scott Allen, general manager of Applebee’s at Veterans Parkway and Eastland Drive, said people he’s talked to are worried there are not enough warming centers in the Twin-Cities to protect the homeless and others in need.

“There are not enough places doing it,” said Allen.

“More people need to be involved with trying to make sure no one’s left out in the cold,” he added.

The Bloomington Police Department posted a statement on its Facebook page Tuesday night that the only confirmed 24 hour warming center is The Salvation Army at 208 N. Oak St.

Allen said the homeless are welcome at Applebee’s during regular store hours from 11 a.m. until midnight. However, he’s willing to stay open all night if he has to.

“If it saves one life, then it’s worth every minute because this is something I am passionate about, taking care of our community,” Allen said.

Allen is serving up soup, hot chocolate, and coffee. Someone also dropped off a couple of boxes of scarves.

The general manager at IHOP on East Empire, Jenni Jennings, is serving coffee, hot chocolate, and a pancake to those seeking protection from the cold.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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