COLUMBUS, Ga. — For years, Frank’s Alley owner Ross Horner has been letting his actions speak louder than the words of most when it comes to making a difference in his community. Now, Ross has launched a new campaign to help connect those in need with the right services that can help give them a hand up.
While Frank’s Alley (and Ross) are known for their rather hilarious “dad joke” marketing, this one’s no laughing matter. Homelessness in the Columbus area increased by an astronomical 13.58% last year alone.
Upon walking into Frank's Alley at 1246 Broadway, patrons will notice a new coin-operated gumball machine complete with Frank’s signature NYC-style cardboard signage — and you should definitely put some coinage in it.
The machine has been retrofitted into a “donation machine,” with all proceeds being directly donated to Home For Good: an organization that connects those experiencing homelessness with the services and opportunities they may desperately need.
Here’s what Frank’s had to say when announcing their new campaign in an Instagram post on Feb. 3, 2023:
“Sorry for this being long…and probably not funny. We believe in helping others as we know you do by your generosity to us as a small business. But that also extends to people on the street, and so do we. Controlling the experience that you, as a customer, deserve is maybe not as easy as it looks. And hey…that might be all we got in the end. We don’t want anyone to ever feel obligated, bullied, or felt forced to give someone money or food. We protect that strongly as some may have seen, but we work hard everyday to make sure you have good food and great experiences. Wanted to let you know you can drop some change here for our favorite organization @homeforgoodcv …they do good and your donation expands. Anyways…we feed these guys on the street everyday in some way. Do not feel obligated about anything except coming to franks and slamming some hot dogs with us.”
Ross and the good people of Frank’s Alley are no strangers to stepping up to the plate, either. Where others stop at only words, Ross quietly goes into action by setting the example for others to follow.
As the former CEO of Uptown Columbus, Inc., Ross knows a thing or two about what it means to do the right thing regardless of what others may say or do. As a result, Ross leaves things — and people — better than when he found them. Ross has carried that same moral sense of duty and ethical humanity with him into his new business — and the results speak for themselves. Have you seen how freakin’ cool the inside of Frank’s Alley is? That didn’t just happen by accident. That takes talent, vision, persistence, and — most of all — leadership.
Ross is a leader who understands the importance of giving a hand up. His experience has taught him that an opportunity and a little direction can make all the difference in the world. He knows and appreciates that connecting the dots requires initiative — and he’s definitely not afraid to humbly go about the work required to get from a to b.
You should go visit Ross at Frank’s Alley and put a full roll of quarters in that gumball machine. Bring a friend. Or three.
Good job, Ross.
Eat more hotdogs.
Facts are stubborn things — and we’ll keep publishing them, whether city officials like them or not.
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— About Home For Good —
Each year, Home For Good conducts what is called a “Point In Time” Count, or PIT Count, for short. Trained volunteers venture out into our community to count and survey those who are experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness.
Those volunteers also connect those experiencing homelessness with the resources and opportunities they may desperately need on a daily basis.
One of those volunteers could be you.
If you’re interested in becoming a trained Home For Good volunteer, you can easily reach out to the organization through their website or visit them at First Presbyterian Church at 1100 First Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901.
