MONROE -- Today, $10 can buy dinner, admission to a gospel concert and some breathing room for local ministries.

A barbecue chicken meal and concert will raise money for the Restoration House and local feeding missions.

The Restoration House in Monroe is a faith-based housing program for men recently released from correctional facilities and rehabilitation programs. Money raised from the meal will go to support the ministry’s operation, as well as the 10 men who currently live there.

Occupants participate in Bible studies, cook their own meals and work odd jobs to give back to the community.

The Rev. Dom Duarte oversees the ministry and said he would like to purchase a larger van to transport the men to church and extracurricular activities. He would also like to buy the land the ministry leases on Franklin Street.

Following the meal, several local churches will provide entertainment with singing, dancing and drama. Money raised from the concert will go to Gertie’s Heart, a ministry that feeds children in the United States, Kenya and Guatemala.

Dom Duarte’s brother, Thom Duarte, heads that ministry, which comes under the umbrella of PT 1615 Missions Ministry in Monroe.

PT 1615 refers to Preacher Thom and the Bible verse Mark 16:15.

Gertie’s Heart is named after the Duartes’ mother, “one of the most generous people I know,” Thom Duarte said.

Combined, the feeding ministry reaches more than 250 children overseas. Gertie’s Heart also works with Operation Reach Out in Monroe.

The meal will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at $7 per plate, including barbecue chicken, slaw, beans, bread, a drink and dessert. Takeout is available. The gospel concert will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Both will be held at the Monroe Christian Worship Center, 1721 N. Charlotte Ave., Monroe. Admission to the concert is $2.