Every penny that Chick-fil-A customers spend on lemonade on Thursday, April 16, and Friday, April 17, at the two Manteca locations will go toward the effort to fund the expansion of the HOPE Family Shelter complex on West Yosemite Avenue.

The local fast food stores are aiming for a goal of $20,000.

The Chick-fil-A stores also have adopted a room at the shelter to take care of furnishings, linens, and such needs. Typically, 10 to 15 staff members participate in the apartment do overs as a way to give back to the community

The non-profit HOPE Shelters needs to raise at least $800,000 to construct the two-story, 4,500 square-foot building with nine apartment units.

“Chick-fil-A is trying to help us get momentum behind getting the word out that we are trying to raise funds for this project,” noted HOPE Family Shelters Executive Director Cecily Ballungay.

The additional housing will go on a lot the non-profit organization acquired to the east of the family shelter in the 600 block of West Yosemite Avenue.

They purchased the property with a pass through federal Community Development Grant provide by the City of Manteca.

RB Environmental and Haggerty Construction have demolished an old house on the property and hauled away the material.

The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors granted the funds that paid for the architectural design and engineering plans that were submit to the City of Manteca and approved.

HOPE Family Shelters enjoy what is arguably by far the region’s best success rate.

That means, with help during an up to 120-day stay addressing issues that led to them being homeless, 72 percent of the client families in 2025 were able to secure housing when they left HOPE Family Shelters.

The shelter each year serves an average of 270 people, with 80 percent of them children.

For more information on how to help the shelter, go to hopefamilyshelters.org or call 209-655-7640.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com