Restaurant, ministry, volunteers team up to feed hungry
Published 2:30 pm Tuesday, September 5, 2023
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Star Photo/Buzz Trexler
A crowd enjoys a cookout on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, to benefit Loaves and Fishes hunger ministry at Americano Steak House in Roan Mountain. The popular restaurant was celebrating its second year in business.
Star Photo/Buzz Trexler
Hamburgers sizzle on the grill as volunteers from Roan Mountain First Baptist Church during a cookout on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, to benefit Loaves and Fishes hunger ministry at Americano Steak House in Roan Mountain. The popular restaurant was celebrating its second year in business.
Star Photo/Buzz Trexler
Volunteers John McClain (left) and Steve Rehmar from Roan Mountain First Baptist Church man the grill during a cookout Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, to benefit Loaves and Fishes hunger ministry at Americano Steak House in Roan Mountain. The popular restaurant was celebrating its second year in business.
Star Photo/Buzz Trexler
Volunteers serve up food during a cookout on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, to benefit Loaves and Fishes hunger ministry at Americano Steak House in Roan Mountain. The popular restaurant was celebrating its second year in business.
Star Photo/Buzz Trexler
Volunteers Beth Williams (left) and Kelly Carl summon drivers during a cookout on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, to benefit Loaves and Fishes hunger ministry at Americano Steak House in Roan Mountain. The popular restaurant was celebrating its second year in business.
Buzz Trexler
Star Correspondent
ROAN MOUNTAIN – When Americano Steak House and Wine Bar, 8362 US-19E, opened two years ago in Roan Mountain, founder and operating partner Troy Boane said he had a mission: Provide quality food to customers, local jobs, and fight hunger and food insecurity in Carter County and Avery County, North Carolina.
According to July 2022 U.S. Census QuickFacts, 17.1 percent of Carter County’s population lives in poverty, while Avery County is at a similar level, 17 percent. In Tennessee, the poverty level is 13.6 percent; North Carolina, 13.4 percent; nationwide, 11.6 percent.
On Saturday, the restaurant once again put its feet to the mission as it provided space and food to benefit Loaves and Fishes Meal Ministry, treating more than 300 people to burgers, hot dogs, slaw, baked beans, and cold drinks in the space of two hours, assisted by volunteers from the restaurant, the ministry, Roan Mountain First Baptist Church, and others.
“This was an event solely to thank our local community and celebrate Labor Day weekend,” Boane said. “The event was free, and donations were collected if people wanted to contribute. Loaves and Fishes Outreach Ministry was the beneficiary of all donations collected.”
Serena Miller, director of Loaves and Fishes, said the event raised $1,903 for the hunger ministry.
According to its website, “The mission of Loaves & Fishes Meal Ministry is to provide a free, daily meal to anyone in the community of Elizabethton or Carter County that needs or wants one. To serve that meal with a servant’s heart and respect. And to ensure that the meal provided is of the best quality our organization can provide.”
Loaves and Fishes is located at 1200 19E Bypass and serves 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
“Americano Steak House was built in the community of Roan Mountain and our mission was to always find ways to give back to the community through time, service and contribution,” Boane said. “We are grateful for the support of our local community and the many visitors that support our boutique steakhouse in the mountains.”
