Last night we offered 67 hot meals to guests living on the frigid streets in and around Penn Station. Our friends from St. Nicholas in Wyckoff New Jersey joined us with their Father Gikas, handing out much needed gloves, hats, toiletries, sweat shirts, blankets, handwarmers, socks and underwear. All our guests were grateful for our generosity and prayed that God bless us.
One of our guests approached the table and asked if we had anything for him. He was quickly embraced and given a bag full of essentials and a hot meal. He looked at us and said, “You are mothers. You are all my mother,” with a tear in his eye. We were humbled to have been “mother” for him at that moment.
At the end of our “run”, after giving out our last meal to a man lying in a box, another came to us and asked if we had any food to give. We did not. But the man in the box lifted his head and called out, “Friend. Take mine. I already had a meal.” He also complemented our chef, Manny by saying, “This is the best chicken I’ve ever had. These guys cook good.” It is amazing how God provides even when it seems we have no more to give. So often we are approached after all the food is gone and then, miraculously, a portion is found, or a hungry soul shares his/her meal.
We were concerned about where our friends would be during the storm the following night. Yolanda, who lives on a chair in front of St. Francis, told us they would all move under the scaffolding recently put up beside the church. We asked why they didn’t plan to find an indoor space to go. “We won’t leave St. Francis.” It is their home, and it appeared, according to Yolanda, God provided some sanctuary under the scaffolding.
The monthly Soup Run is an eye-opening, hands-on, compassionate outreach to directly serve 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, Long Island, New York City, 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
- Irene Drivas
- January Soup Run Sponsor: Helen Kyriak
- Philoptochos of Holy Trinity New Rochelle, NY
- Meals/Cookies/Sandwiches
- Manny Louros
- Kalliope Primis “Kalliope Cares”
- Kathy Papataros
- Clothing
- T-Shirts – Dr. Lisa Coplit
- Coats – Joy Zegras
- Blankets, Gloves and Chapstick (St. Nicholas, Wyckoff, NJ)
- Hand Knit/Crocheted Hats and Scarves – Holy Trinity Knitting for Charity Group, Suzanne Negrin
- Melina Morris and Bombas (https://bombas.com ) – Socks
- Toiletry Kits/Personal Care Items
- Holy Trinity Scouts
- Fr. Nicolas Kazarian (St. Eleftherios Church NY, NY)
- 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), new sneakers (size 12) and new blankets (e.g., small fleece blankets) are the only items we are currently accepting.
The next Soup Run is scheduled for February 24, 2022. Please join us.