We served chicken and rice dinners and bags of sandwiches, water and snacks to our guests on the street in New York City during last night’s Soup Run. There was a group camped out at St. Francis, mostly under the scaffolding, sheltering from the impending snowstorm. We also provided coats, hats, scarves, socks, underwear and toiletries. We gave a woman two coats, one that she could wear on top of her existing coat and a second coat to use as a blanket while she slept on the sidewalk. Another woman was happy to receive a red jacket and a matching hand made red hat and scarf!
In speaking with some of the guests that we see every month, Yolanda and Charlene, we asked why they continue to remain on the street. There are so many reasons given – they’ve been kicked out of the hotels that were housing homeless individuals during the height of the pandemic; they are not allowed to stretch out and sleep on the subways; the shelters are not safe; there is no where to go.
We also spoke with Tony, a calm, articulate man who repeatedly thanked us for the food and clothing that we provided. Tony has been without a home for about a year. He is working on securing housing but in the meantime, he walks the streets, gets food where and when he can, and manages to keep a low profile on the subway and ride the trains at night to stay warm. He said that if he is quiet and doesn’t occupy multiple seats, he is allowed to stay on the trains.
Another man who came at the very end as we were packing up accepted our food and other items and then he asked us for a Bible. We agreed to give him one next month.
The monthly Soup Run is a wonderful experience for volunteers who want to interact directly with individuals in need. Our guests appreciate us, and we appreciate what we learn and experience from them.
All month long, we gather items 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, Connecticut and New Jersey, 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
- February Soup Run Sponsor: Alexis Livanos, Angie Lambros
- Philoptochos of Holy Trinity New Rochelle, NY
- Meals/Cookies/Sandwiches
- Manny Louros
- Constantine Caviris
- Kathy Papataros
- Clothing
- T-Shirts – Dr. Lisa Coplit
- Holy Trinity Knitting for Charity Group; Suzanne Negrin – Hand Knit/Crocheted Hats and Scarves
- Suzanne Negrin – Sneakers, Women’s Underwear
- Melina Morris and Bombas (https://bombas.com ) – Socks
- Toiletry Kits/Personal Care Items
- 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) are always needed.
The next Soup Run is scheduled for March 31, 2022. Please join us.