A large crowd had gathered and was waiting for us when we arrived at 31st in New York City for last night’s Soup Run and we were prepared with 125 hot meals, socks, underwear and toiletries. The group was made up of returning guests who lingered and chatted with us, new guests who seemed amazed at all that we offered and others who quickly accepted a meal or a specific item and went on their way.
We heard from some who asked for coats for the upcoming cold weather – saying they moved from one homeless shelter to another and lost some of their belongings. We talked with others who have jobs but do not have a place to live and others who have lived on the sidewalk in front of St. Francis for years.
As we served, listened and talked with our guests, we also met others from New York City homeless outreach programs and the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing who are out every night offering housing options. Some say that so many of the rooms or apartments are either dangerous or in such poor condition that sleeping on the street ends up being the preferred option. With the city’s dramatic increase in homelessness, the need for decent, safe housing has never been greater.
The Soup Run is a labor of love all month long as we plan, gather and organize for the last Thursday of the month when we serve our guests. It is through the donations of those in the Holy Trinity community and beyond – including supporters and volunteers from across Westchester County, Queens, Long Island, New York City and Connecticut, those of various faiths and friends of friends, who make this important outreach a reality. This month we are grateful for the following supporters:
- Financial Support
- Minos Samoladas
- Irene Drivas
- September Soup Run Sponsor: Chris and Callirhoe Demetriades
- Philoptochos of Holy Trinity New Rochelle, NY
- Meals/Pumpkin Muffins/Water
- Manny Louros, Basil Apostle
- Kalliope Primis
- Fr. Andrew Harriott (Sacred Light Fellowship)
- Clothing/Backpacks
- Melina Morris and Bombas (bombas.com) – Socks and Underwear
- Dr. Lisa Coplit – Backpacks
- Toiletry Kits/Personal Care Items
- Georgeann Mavrovitis, Loredona Curtis, Alexandra Speres and Maryann Koutsis
- Bags – FreshDirect (freshdirect.com)
With much appreciation, we thank you for your continuing support and participation. If you would like to donate items, please consider the following: new or gently worn women’s and men’s sneakers, backpacks and hoodies. The next Soup Run is scheduled for October 27, 2022. Please join us.
