PITTSBURG, Kan. — Over this holiday season, Otto’s Café has been taking donations to feed the homeless. A small donation of $5 helps to provide a hot meal for someone who needs it and gets your name on an angel on the wall.

Dozens of angels now decorate the walls of the café, but many more have donated, sometimes more than $5, and foregone the recognition.

“It takes about three donations to pay for one meal,” said Nathan Goff, co-owner of Otto’s Café with his father. “It helps us cover our costs.”

Since taking over Otto’s Café, Nathan and his dad have always tried to help those who need it. Sometimes customers arrive with their last couple of dollars, not enough money to pay for the meal, but often offer to work off the cost by doing things around the café, such as picking up trash. This year, the owners decided to kick things up a notch.

After instituting the program, the Goffs sold out of their first 50 angels in two hours, surprising them by how popular the program was and forcing them to institute a temporary hold. The Goffs will continue taking donations sometime after the first of the year, although a definite date hasn’t been determined yet.

According to Goff, they first started by providing a serving of biscuits and gravy, but now offer bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, and toast. Someone in need can order a full meal with a drink and a ticket is written. At the end of the month, the tickets are added up and the total cost is taken from the pool of donations. 

The donation pool has grown faster than anticipated. When they stop taking donations, most likely at the end of January, Goff said that he and his dad will have to decide whether to donate the remainder to Wesley House or to keep the funds on-hand to continue paying for meals, until the pool runs out. 

Goff said he is impressed by the response, especially considering how a certain vocal group of citizens feel about the homeless in Pittsburg. Goff related a story about a regular customer who always orders a meal of two eggs, hash browns, and toast.

“It’s a $5.99 meal,” Goff said. “But he leaves a $5 tip and donates $25 every time, three times a week.”

When his dad first proposed the idea, Goff was for it, saying the worst that can happen is they raise $10 and feed two people.

“Those who can give, do,” Goff said. Even some of those in need are willing to give. One gentleman, Goff said, would order biscuits and gravy. Before taking a bite for himself, he would give half to his dog.

Goff said he and his dad, both of whom are veterans, will continue to help when they can and plan to institute the program again next Christmas season.

“We’ve always done this,” Goff said, “it’s just this time we let the public participate.”