• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Se Habla Español
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
cropped mountain association logo with copyright.png

Mountain Association

Building a New Economy, Together.

    • Access expertise to grow your business or organization.

      Apply for Support

    • Start Here
      • Learn About Support
      • Apply to Work with a Consultant
      • Success Stories
    • Resources
      • Tools & Templates
      • SPARK Nonprofit Collaborative
      • Client Login
    • Expand your impact with our flexible loans.

      Talk to Us About a Loan

    • Start Here
      • Learn About Loans
      • Start the Application Process
      • Success Stories
    • Resources
      • FAQs
      • Disaster Recovery Loans
      • CrowdMatch Loans
    • We can help you save money.

      Apply for an Energy Assessment

    • Start Here
      • Learn About Our Energy Program
      • Apply for a Free Energy Savings Assessment
      • Success Stories
    • Resources
      • FAQs
      • Solar Support
      • Energy Savings Microloan
    • Start something in your community.

      How We Can Help

    • Start Here
      • How We Support Communities
      • Success Stories
    • Hazard, KY
      • 479 Main Street Project
      • Long-Term Work
    • We can help tell your story.

      Read Our Stories

    • Blog
      • Read Stories
      • Newsletter | Social Media
    • Communications
      • Press & Media
      • EKY Influencer & Media Network
    • Building a new economy, together.

      (859) 986-2373

      info@mtassociation.org

      Sign Me Up for News

    • About Us
      • What We Do
      • A New Economy
        • How It’s Working
    • Our People
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Careers
    • Impact
      • Our History
      • By the Numbers
      • Publications
  • (859) 986-2373

    info@mtassociation.org

     

    Building a new economy, together.
You are here: Home / Lending / Shenanigans: Hazard’s Small-Town Restaurant with a Big Heart

Lending

Shenanigans: Hazard’s Small-Town Restaurant with a Big Heart

March 20, 2025

Share:

On Main Street in the mountain town of Hazard, Kentucky, there’s a little restaurant with a funny name but a serious mission. Shenanigans isn’t just a place to grab a meal—it’s a place where kindness is served daily. Founded six years ago by Michelle Combs, her shop has become a beacon of hope for those in need, thanks to its pay-it-forward program that helps feed the homeless and individuals in addiction recovery.

The program is simple yet powerful: customers can choose to pay $5 to cover the costs of a meal for someone who might not otherwise afford to eat. Over the past four years, this initiative has provided meals to countless people—some who return regularly, while new faces arrive each week. The effort is entirely supported by the generosity of Shenanigans’ customers, proving a community’s love can make a big impact.

Kentucky has been deeply affected by the opioid crisis and we have one of the highest overdose death rates in the country. In 2022 alone, over 2,200 Kentuckians lost their lives to overdoses. Addiction leaves many struggling with housing and food insecurity. Shenanigans’ pay-it-forward program ensures that those trying to rebuild their lives have a warm meal and a welcoming place to sit.

shenanigans hazard kentucky michelle combs

“Everyone deserves to eat –  I don’t care who you are, what you’ve done – you need a good meal to survive, to heal,” Michelle says of the program. 

Beyond its mission to feed those in need, Shenanigans is also a deeply personal project for Michelle. Throughout the restaurant, guests with a careful eye can notice small tributes to Joseph, her late son, who was a sous chef in Colorado. She and Joseph always dreamed of starting a restaurant together. His love of the color purple, soccer and Alice in Wonderland show up throughout the decor and the menu.

As for the food? It’s as comforting as the atmosphere. Shenanigans offers a variety of fresh, hearty dishes, including crisp salads, stacked sandwiches, and flavorful wraps packed with high-quality ingredients. Whether you’re in the mood for something light and healthy or a hearty meal, there’s something on the menu for everyone.

michelle combs shenanigans hazard ky Restaurant

The Mountain Association has been proud to have worked with Michelle over the past several years, supporting her dreams with flexible financing.

Shenanigans is a place built on love, remembrance, and the idea that every life matters. In a world where so many people are struggling, places like Shenanigans remind us that small actions can create waves of change.

So, if you’re ever near Hazard, stop by. Enjoy a delicious meal, and, if you can, pay it forward. You just might be part of someone’s fresh start.

480965232 1219733650154787 8698134933980647500 n

Author

Ariel Fugate

Communications Manager

ariel@mtassociation.org

Recent Posts

solar kentucky grocery frenchburg kentucky market

Energy Lending

Seeing the Light: Inspired by Peers, Kentucky Grocer Makes the Solar Switch 

Jed Weinberg knows both Eastern Kentucky and the energy world, through and through.  He grew up in Knott County, and now owns or manages four ... Read This Post

DavidCraftsConstruction

Business Support Energy

Faith in Action: 57 Years of Service at St. Vincent Mission 

From what was once a coal camp’s swimming pool in Floyd County, Kentucky, Saint Vincent Mission has served Appalachians since 1968. The nonprofit got ... Read This Post

power outage kentucky battery backup storage

Energy

Be Prepared: How to Choose Small-Scale Emergency Backup Power 

When the power goes out—whether from a storm, grid failure, or another emergency—having a small-scale backup energy solution can keep your essential ... Read This Post

Footer

cropped mountain association logo with copyright.png

Established in 1976. Prior to 2020, we were known as the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED).

Donate Now 1

Get the Newsletter

Sign Up Now

  • Programs
    • Business Support
    • Lending
    • Energy
    • Communities
    • Stories
  • About
    • What We Do
    • A New Economy
    • Team
    • Our History
    • By the Numbers
  • More
    • Donate
    • Careers
    • Board of Directors
    • Publications
    • Sponsorships

BEREA
(859) 986-2373
433 Chestnut Street
Berea, KY 40403

Meetings by appointment only

info@mtassociation.org

We are happy to make any accommodation
to better serve you. We have an on-staff
Spanish interpreter, and provide
additional free language/
interpretation services as needed.

If hearing or speech impaired,
please dial 7-1-1 for relay
services prior to calling.

HAZARD
(606) 439-0170
420 Main St
Hazard, KY 41701

PRESTONSBURG
(606) 264-5910
268 E Friend St, Ste 101
Prestonsburg, KY 41653

Copyright © 2025 Mountain Association | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Non-profit Disclosures

made by P&P
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok