A deli in Milford is cooking up a recipe it hopes catches on with others in the community.

The owners of Bobette?s Take-Out deli on Boston Post Road say for years they would feed stray cats, only to find them dead later because they were run over. In an effort to save the felines, they asked the city to put a cat-crossing sign. Since the city complied, the owners say they haven?t had a single incident.

To continue helping the community, beginning in February the owners will donate all proceeds for sales of their famous butternut squash soup to the Beth-El homeless shelter. Milford Mayor Jim Richitelli says he is impressed with the couple?s contributions and is officially proclaiming February ?Butternut Buddy Month? in the city. He hopes other businesses and citizens follow in the efforts to help.