“Through food, we want to share love, kindness and hope. And for as long as God allows us to do this, we will continue our mission.” ~ Faith Amigo-Choplin
In an ongoing mission of care for those less fortunate, many amazing restaurants in the Lake Norman area are donating not just their time, but nourishing meals from their respective restaurants, as well.
As a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cornelius, Nelson Bass knew of Heath Burchett’s work with Watchmen of the Streets – a Christian nonprofit – and began providing meals for this ministry from his popular Mooresville restaurant, Blu Star Grill. “We were incredibly grateful when we nudged some of our many friends in the restaurant business to join us, and their answer was ‘YES!’” shares Nelson. “I knew we could donate more meals as a group than I could by myself. We now have several unique establishments providing high quality restaurant meals for our homeless neighbors who are cared for by WOTS.” Deliveries are made to Watchmen of the Streets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, so participating restaurants deliver to Blu Star Grill on those designated days. Volunteers then transport everything to the parking lot of Choplin’s Restaurant in Cornelius, where WOTS picks up and packs food to deliver to neighbors in need in Charlotte. For participating restaurants – the benefits are priceless!
Wes Choplin, owner of Choplin’s in Cornelius, also met Heath Burchett more than a decade ago and made an instant connection. Choplin’s started weekly work with Watchmen of the Streets in 2012 – and, during the pandemic, fed more than 1,000 children each week. “Last year, other restaurants in the area joined forces with us, and we’re able to do it with a much greater reach,” says Faith Amigo-Choplin. Along with others, Choplin’s prepares meals to feed more than 500 homeless families within our community and surrounding areas. “We’re reminded every day that we are all in this together and to make sure we don’t forget about each other.” Choplin’s also continues their Luke 14 Banquets (referring to the Bible’s parable of the great feast) serving neighbors a hearty, three-course meal complete with plates, tablecloths and candles – all a labor of love for the Choplin’s team.
When Nick Bonarrigo opened Mi Amiche in 2021, Nelson Bass welcomed him to the LKN community, and the two have become family. “When Nelson headed this community outreach more than two years ago, I was honored to be his first phone call,” shares Nick. “I have always thrived on giving back to our communities, and every day, we’re granted life on this earth, we should be focused on making a difference in other’s lives. There are so many people less fortunate who face adversity each and every day – without the same choices we’ve been granted. It’s been my privilege to be able to assist Watchmen of the Streets in their quest to serve the homeless in our region, and I extend my deepest gratitude to all those supporting our cause!”
Besides raising funds for more than 300,000 meals for children around the globe, Tacos4Life Grlll in Mooresville also supports the efforts of WOTS. “We’ve been able to support them to help those in need most months this year with 50-60 boxed lunches,” shares Owner Ed Babcock. “It’s a wonderful ministry that fits within our mission of addressing food security globally, regionally and locally. We also work closely with FMSC.org (Feed My Starving Children).” Ed and his wife, Missy, both felt God calling them to steward a portion of the resources He has entrusted to their care, with the opening of Tacos4Life in Mooresville. Every taco, burrito, quesadilla and kids’ meal sold includes the cost of an FMSC meal distributed to starving children around the globe. On average, they raise about 4,500-5,000 meals a week through routine sales, and to date, the Mooresville restaurant has contributed 325,266 meals. Ed says his employees have truly bought into the mission statement that hunger is the world’s most solvable problem.
Always community driven in its business philosophy, Fresh Chef Restaurant in Cornelius also partners with Watchmen of the Streets. General Manager Rob Kelley, and his wife, Jeannette, have been involved with the mission since last January, and the restaurant is now an established stop on the WOTS route each week. “We are donating no less than 40 meals and sometimes as many as 60 meals,” Robert shares. “We were thrilled to have this opportunity to collaborate with WOTS, and our team is inspired by having a part in helping those less fortunate. We all look forward to Tuesdays – our delivery day!”
Pomodoro’s Italian American Cafe has been involved with Watchmen of the Streets for the past year, donating meals from their Mooresville restaurant several times throughout 2025. They’ve also been supporters of Dove House Advocacy Center in Statesville through the years. “Our fellow humans need a hand, and we all need some sort of help at some point. If we can all just do a little bit to help out, everyone can benefit,” shares Owner Michael “Natty” Berridge. Pomodoro’s offers a comfortable atmosphere, where servers make an effort to get to know guests on a personal level. Open since 1989, many customers grew up eating here as kids, and that warm sense of family continues today – both at the restaurant and throughout the community!
Owner Stacy White and her team at Famous Toastery of Mooresville know they’ve been blessed by so much local support – and feel they are one big family with their guests! “Several years ago, we were approached by Nelson at Blu Star Grill and given the opportunity to help. Along with other local restaurants, we donate meals monthly to those in need – and have helped purchase blankets, sleeping bags and other essentials for these neighbors. Famous Toastery also shows its support of veterans and first responders with daily discounts and donates gift cards to Richard’s Coffee Shop in downtown Mooresville every Veteran’s Day. They also regularly donate to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Stand for Animals, the Wounded Warrior project and to local schools – a cause very dear to Stacy, a retired teacher.
This dedicated group of local businesses is always looking for likeminded local restaurants to join their efforts! If you own a restaurant in the Lake Norman area, please consider joining their mission to supply Watchmen of the Streets with nutritious meals for those who need it most. Contact Nelson Bass at 704.577.9934 or [email protected] for details! For more information on becoming involved with Watchmen of the Streets, an outreach ministry of Habit Missions, contact Heath Burchett at [email protected] or visit watchmenofthestreets.com.
