Our Mission
OBX Room In The Inn was established in 2009 with a mission to provide hospitality, food, clothing, and shelter to homeless adults in Dare and Currituck Counties on the Outer Banks during the winter months and support services year-round.
Our History
OBX Room In The Inn, Inc. is a non-profit 501C3 organization that was established in 2009 by Gail Leonard and Claiborne Yarbrough to provide shelter, food, clothing, and support to adults experiencing homelessness across the Outer Banks. We have assisted hundreds of guests over the past 17 years.
From 2009 until the COVID-19 pandemic, RITI operated through a unique community partnership with local churches. Each week, guests were transported to a different participating church, where they slept on cots and were welcomed by volunteers who prepared meals and stayed overnight to provide support and a safe place to sleep. Because churches generously provided space at no cost, RITI was able to operate with relatively low overhead.
In 2020, COVID-19 changed that model. Health and safety concerns made it difficult for churches to continue hosting guests, particularly because many of the dedicated volunteers were older adults. To ensure that people experiencing homelessness in our community still had a safe place to go during the winter, RITI transitioned to renting a dedicated shelter facility.
While this allowed RITI to continue its mission, it dramatically changed the financial needs of the organization. What was once donated shelter space became a significant annual expense. Since 2020, rent, utilities, insurance, food, transportation, staffing, and other operating costs have continued to rise. At the same time, the need for our services has grown. Last season alone, RITI experienced a 25% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness seeking assistance, further increasing the cost of providing shelter, meals, and essential services.
As the only homeless shelter serving Dare County and the surrounding area, RITI fills a critical gap in our community. Because our overnight shelter currently operates seasonally rather than year-round, we do not have access to many of the state and federal funding opportunities available to year-round shelter programs, making private donations, grants, local partnerships, churches, businesses, and community support essential to our work.
Today, every donation truly makes a difference. Whether it helps provide a warm bed, a hot meal, clothing, transportation, or the support someone needs to take their next step forward, each contribution allows RITI to continue being there for our neighbors when they need us most.
Meet the Team
Our President/CEO
Shari Fiveash
A highly experienced non-profit executive, Shari most recently served as President of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. During her extensive career, she has earned a strong record of success in community building, economic development, association and non-profit management, and strategic planning. Shari has managed numerous philanthropic and grants programs, multi-million-dollar budgets, and spearheaded fund-raising campaigns and events.
Our Board
Position Open
Chair
Angie Eaton
Vice Chair
Brannon Godfrey
Treasurer
Randy Jones
Secretary
John Head
Richard Hess
Casi Hollingsworth
Lexy Maratellos
Megan Patel
Nancy Griffin
Director Emeritus
Our Partners & Supporters
We currently partner with 23 churches across the Outer Banks who provide hot meals nightly, breakfast, lunch and essential items to the shelter.
