Chicken and rice were on the menu for the guests we served in and around Penn Station in NYC during last night’s soup run. We met so many individuals struggling in so many ways – emotionally, physically, mentally – but we know that the food and clothing we provided showed them that someone cares.
We fed those at the drop-in center on 30th St., the group camped out on 31st St., others aimlessly wandering in Penn Station and on the surrounding blocks. As we gave a shirtless man a meal, a T-shirt and toiletries, he reminded us “to be safe out there”. Another man ran toward us after we had given him a toiletry kit several minutes earlier asking if we had another razor. He had facial hair all over his shirt as he appeared to be shaving right then and there. A woman explained that she is living on the street for another 10 days until she gets an apartment but is struggling with some health issues and needed new diapers. We went to the store and bought her a box.
Fr. Bill Gikas and a group of Philoptochos women from St. Nicholas in Wyckoff, NJ joined the Soup Run. One of our guests spoke with Fr. Bill and offered him the wooden cross with rosary beads he was wearing that had been given to him by a Friar. A man walking past us on Broadway saw what we were doing and gave us a $6 donation. Another man gave us his contact information and said he wants to help us serve next month. Fr. Nick spoke with a young man named Stevenson who was feeling very down on his luck. He was looking for a place to spend the night but there was no room at the drop-in center, so he was going to walk to Bellevue Hospital to try to get a placement.
It’s hard to say which of the numerous experiences we had last night touched us the most but perhaps it was when we asked a man what he needed and he said, “I need some heart”. We hope we gave some heart to him and the others – even for just a moment.
The monthly Soup Run is an amazing experience. It is a hands-on demonstration of compassion extended to those who are most in need. We are blessed with support and generosity from so many. Throughout the month and all year long, we plan, gather items and organize for the day we have set aside to 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, New York City, Stamford and Danbury, CT and Fair Lawn and Wyckoff, NJ, those of various faiths and friends of friends, who make this important outreach a reality. This month we are grateful to the following supporters:
- Financial Support
- Minos Samoladas
- This month’s sponsor: Christos Georgiou & Eleanora Serbeti
- Philoptochos of Holy Trinity New Rochelle, NY
- Meals
- Manny Louros
- Anastasia Gregory
- Clothing
- Deborah Farone – Women’s Underwear
- Philoptochos of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (Wyckoff, NJ) – Socks
- Dr. Lisa Coplit and Neighbors – Men’s and women’s T-Shirts
- Melina Morris and Bombas (https://bombas.com ) – Socks
- Toiletry Kits
- Georgeann Mavrovitis, Laurie Curtis, Alexandra Speres and Maryann Koutsis
- Bags – FreshDirect (freshdirect.com)
With much appreciation, we thank you for your continuing support and participation. Donations of new men’s and women’s underwear, T-shirts (sizes LG and XL) and new blankets (e.g., small fleece blankets) are the only items we are currently accepting. The next Soup Run is scheduled for October 28, 2021. Please join us.