Soup Run Reports

The Philoxenia team has been very active during the first half of the year. We’ve held a record number of community programs during this period, and for good reason: one in three New Yorkers continues to struggle with food insecurity. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and nonprofit allies...Read More

May 31 was truly an extraordinary day. Philoxenia Inc was honored to join The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation and amazing young volunteers from The Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, Inc. to prepare food at IS 77.  Our group assembled 125+ bags of sandwiches, water and snacks and then made their way to nearby Richmond Hill to join the truly exceptional people who make up RIVER FUND, Now entering its fourth decade of service and impacting over 40 NYC zip codes, RIVER FUND distributes more than 1 million pounds of groceries and needed essentials, per month, to over 35,000 unduplicated households yearly. On this day, 1,200 families began lining up at 3:00 am to secure critical fresh produce, shelf-stable food and home essentials. Our volunteers had...Read More

More than 161 bags of groceries were distributed to our guests during the Pop Up Pantry in Spanish Harlem. On a chilly, rainy evening, our amazing volunteers organized food items, packed bags and distributed them – always with a smile – to residents in the neighborhood. A woman to whom we gave a bag of groceries returned later in the evening and donated a dollar, thanking us for helping her with much needed food. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers and supporters for their generosity.Read More

What a great event it was for this enthusiastic group from the Boys & Girls Club of Queens, who made sandwiches to give to those who are homeless. Thanks for the great collaboration with The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation and The Floating Hospital.Read More

We had another successful Pop Up Pantry where we provided 200 bags of free groceries to our neighbors in need in New Rochelle, NY. Thank you United Community Center of Westchester INC., Feeding Westchester, LOUKOUMI, New York State Dental Foundation, Beth Huffman and Monica Rodis for your support, food, dental products and handmade hats!Read More

Our annual Thanksgiving Pop-Up Pantry was a wonderful success today! We provided our neighbors in East Harlem with 150+ bags of groceries and 150+ bags containing whole turkeys and fresh greens. Deepest thanks to our generous hosts at Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey Harlem PROS and to the extraordinary support from our donors, including BakerHostetler (including its New York team who held a food drive that filled our bags), Bombas, the New York State Dental Foundation , Beth Huffman (for beautiful crocheted hats) and — critically — every person who has taken the time to contribute to Philoxenia Inc. Special thanks to our hardworking volunteers, representing our organization and Infinite Global and BakerHostetler. We wish all of you and your...Read More

Philoxenia Inc is grateful to our East Harlem neighbors for another successful #popuppantry on October 5. Deepest thanks to our volunteers and to the extraordinary generosity and kindness of the team at Sisters of Charity of New York LEFSA for working together to give out 140 bags of essential food and Bombas socks to the community on Lexington Avenue.Read More

It was such a fabulous and rewarding day filling 170 bags of groceries with students from The Loukoumi Foundation Good Deed programming at the Anne Hutchinson and Eastchester Middle Schools. We served those in need at United Community Center of Westchester Inc. As one student said, “we loved seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces and it made us smile too!” Thank you @feedingwestchester, to the students who donated food and to Bombas for their wonderful socks.Read More

Absolutely inspiring day for Philoxenia Inc, thanks to the extraordinary people at the RIVER FUND, a 30-year old, rapidly growing nonprofit helping families in Queens #fightpoverty and #endhunger via education programs, access to benefits and, critically, food. The scale and logistics of their operations were matched by their exceptional kindness, as we contributed to today’s pantry — helping hundreds of hungry New Yorkers — through our “Sandwiches & Socks” program. Through our partnership with The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation and Bombas, we gave away 150+ bags of freshly made sandwiches, plus snacks, bottled water, masks and Bombas socks. The program, created by Philoxenia’s founder and president, Despina Kartson, complements the mobile, “Pop-Up Pantries” we hold year-round in NYC. Most of today’s inspiration came in...Read More

We packed 170 bags of groceries in 20 minutes and gave them to grateful recipients in Harlem in 25 minutes! There is such a need and we were so happy to provide an abundance of groceries and fresh produce during our April 2024 Pop Up Pantry. A very special thank you to our host and collaborators St. George & St. Demetrios Church, New York and Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. It was a perfect and beautiful day!Read More

Our March 29 Pop-Up Pantry was a phenomenal success.  There was an abundance of food: substantial donations from the St Eleftherios Church food drive, Philoxenia Inc provided food, including what we purchased and was delivered by Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc., and a massive produce donation from Hunts Point Produce Market. And our friends at Bombas donated 300 pairs of socks — often cited as among the most needed items — for the event. Everything was first-quality, and we were able to give each guest a full bag of shelf-stable food and produce: apples, oranges, peppers, collards, plantains, potatoes, avocados and onions.  We distributed 162 bags of groceries and 150 bags of produce. Guests were lined up by 11:15am for our noon start time.  People were...Read More

We had a great day preparing 125 Sandwiches & Socks bags for a nearby homeless shelter at the Floating Hospital in Long Island City, NY. Philoxenia partnered with enthusiastic students from IS 10, the Variety Boys & Girls Club, and The Loukoumi Foundation to make sandwiches and pack bags. Thanks to Bombas for socks, the New York State Dental Foundation for toothbrushes, and The Loukoumi Foundation for snacks and water and for showing how to make a difference. Sandwiches & Socks, March 2024Read More

Thanksgiving came a week early today in East Harlem during our Pop Up Pantry with Goodwill Industries Of Greater NY And Northern NJ. We provided 150 bags of groceries donated by the employees of BakerHostetler, 150 turkeys, Bombas socks, handmade hats from Monica Rodis and Beth Huffman, toothbrushes from New York State Dental Foundation, sweatshirts from Rich Schneyer and lots of compassion and love from our outstanding volunteers! Feeding those in need is what we doRead More

A most beautiful day at the Pop Up Pantry! We gave out 160+ bags of groceries to those in need plus To-Go bags for those without access to kitchens. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this happen including the members of Life Experience and Faith Sharing Associates, Philoxenia Inc., and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, NYC. Thank you to Foodtown of East Harlem for working so nicely with us to purchase the groceries.Read More

We distributed 150 bags of groceries to those in need during our Pop Up Pantry yesterday. Recipients were appreciative, we had so many shelf-stable food items as well as fresh produce (the mangos were a hit!), and the weather was perfect. Special thanks to our volunteers, supports and partners Urban Outreach Center of NYC, Goodwill NYNJ, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, NYC.Read More

We served so many during our Sandwiches & Socks (and more!) evening in Harlem on April 7, 2023. Thank you to our awesome volunteers and partners from Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Emmaus House of Harlem Life Experience and Faith Sharing Associates One Sandwich at a Time Bombas.Read More

We fed hundreds during our March 4, 2023 Pop Up Pantry! 181 bags of groceries were distributed in East Harlem NY. Thank you Urban Outreach Center of NYC, St. George & St. Demetrios Church, New York and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, NYC and the many volunteers, including the Greek #youngprofessionals and volunteers from NYC, Queens, Westchester County, Long Island, CT and NJ.Read More

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...Read More

Last nights Soup run was another example of “Let go. Let God.”  We thought we would need more help. There were six volunteers from Holy Trinity, all women, carting tables, boxes of delicious deli sandwiches, water, sneakers, toiletries, and socks. We got to the city and there were four more volunteers!  Two new volunteers from Sacred Light Fellowship, along with their minister, were eager to help.  A group of volunteers through the mayor’s office was also there, having heard of our Soup Run.   The mayor’s group was there to help our guests access housing.   The word is out on the street.  The Greek church from New Rochelle is  ”real good people.”  The city volunteers were impressed by the way we related to our guests, spending...Read More

Last Night’s Soup Run was a celebration of old friends.  We gave out 99 hot meals, snacks, fruit and water, along with toiletries, underwear, socks and T-shirts.  Each month we see more people who have found us at our new location, some of whom are new to us, and others we haven’t seen since before the pandemic. The word is out.  “The church folks from the Garden are now at St. Francis.”  I like the sound of that.  Yesterday Abdullah and Nate were there and were thrilled we remembered them by name.  We all spent time talking.  Another old friend was Keith, who now goes by “K”, who looked healthy and happy.  All three wanted us to know they were well and thanked us for...Read More

So many hungry individuals met us at our first stop during last night’s Soup Run that we ran out of food. This rarely happens. In only 40 minutes, we served 65 delicious meals of chicken, rice and vegetables. The need is great, our guests are returning, they know where to find us and know that we will be there for them on the last Thursday of every month – as we have been for the past 15 years. We provided socks, underwear, toiletries and shoes and had more requests for underwear, sports bras, a backpack and sneakers than we could fulfill. We promised to return next month with these items. Some of our dear regular guests – Santos, Donna, Evie and Wendy – spent time...Read More

Last night’s Soup Run was an overwhelming success. The word is out! Holy Trinity stops have gone through the pipeline. We met many of our old friends at St. Francis Church on 31st. We were able to feed fifty people there. They were waiting for us, and a line began to form. There were some that would not emerge from their makeshift box houses and blanket bundles, so we went to them. Tara was almost missed as she is so slight in build and totally covered in blankets and cardboard. I introduced myself and asked her name. “I’m Tara. Thanks for asking my name,” she said. We brought her food, and other essentials, and a “most beautiful” sweater. Tara could not have been more than...Read More

It was a reunion of sorts during last night’s Soup Run. We happily reconnected with guests we have not seen in more than two years – Nate, Santos, Wendy and Keith – and exchanged handshakes and hugs. Some told us “we all survived this”. Working with the Midnight Run organization, we made three stops in New York City where our guests were expecting us. We served hot chicken dinners, bags of sandwiches including water and snacks, homemade brownies, cookies and fruit. Lots of essentials like underwear, socks, shoes, fleece vests, coats, hats and toiletries were distributed to those we found on the sidewalks, under boxes or in tents. We only had two pairs of jeans, one sleeping bag and one blanket – as you can...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More

We served our guests on the street and in the train station during last night’s soup run and they seemed especially thankful that we remembered them two days before Christmas.  Meals were given to some who were camped out on the ground, in tents, in cardboard boxes and sleeping bags and wandering through Penn Station. In addition to the pastitsio and moussaka that we served, we provided gift bags filled with hand made hats, scarves, gloves and a holiday card, underwear, socks, blankets and jackets. We were also happy to be joined by Fr. Nicolas Kazarian (St. Eleftherios, NYC) and Marina (St. Eleftherios Parish Council President). They brought 140 toiletry kits (!) assembled by their parish during a recent Advent Toiletry Drive. As we served...Read More

A little touch of Thanksgiving came a week early for our guests in Manhattan when we served 60 turkey meals during last night’s Soup Run. Along with the hot meals, we provided 100 sandwiches, cookies and bottles of water. We also offered socks, underwear, hats, scarves, toiletries and blankets. The blankets were gone within minutes. We talked with James while we were stationed in front of St. Francis on 31st Street. James was friendly, articulate and could have been a family member to any one of us. At the age of 30, he finds himself without a family or a home. He told us that his mother and grandmother, with whom he lived, died from COVID within the same week this year. Due to a series...Read More

We had a large and enthusiastic group of volunteers who served food and distributed clothing and toiletries to more than 125 guests in New York City during last night’s soup run. Celebrating an early Thanksgiving, we served turkey dinners, including traditional sides of stuffing, mashed potatoes and vegetables. As we expanded our outreach and covered the large block around Madison Square Garden, we offered food, socks, hats, scarves and blankets to those congregating on the steps of the Post Office and waiting to enter the drop-in center. We talked with a group of seven who were settled in for the night at the corner of 33rd Street and 8th Avenue. When we asked them about their safety on the street, they told us “as long as...Read More

We touched some special souls and fed 75 guests during last night’s soup run. Our group made several stops in Manhattan around Penn Station and Macy’s and provided chicken and rice dinners, blankets, hats, toiletries and sneakers to those living on the street. A young man, Troy, approached us asking for sneakers and pointing to the dirty socks on his feet. Fortunately, we had a new pair of Nike’s in his size. When we gave him socks and the sneakers, he was ecstatic and turned his head toward the sky, raised his arm and said “Thank you God”. Another man was laid out in front of St. Francis church, complaining about how much his feet hurt in the boots he was wearing. Fr. Augustine put...Read More

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...Read More

Last night, three of us were able to provide 66 hot meals and toiletry kits to our brothers and sisters living on the streets of NYC. Our friends at the Drop-in Center were happy to see us, in fact one of them told us that “You made all the folks inside so happy tonight.” We were able to offer extra food to those who were going to be coming into the drop-in center for the night. While leaving, our friends waved to us and shouted, “thank you” and “God bless you”. We ventured on to the streets and found many souls in front of the church of St. Francis. They welcomed us and were grateful for a hot meal and conversation. One woman was brought...Read More

It rained, it cleared up, it rained again and through it all, we could not have been more energized during last night’s Soup Run when we distributed nearly 100 lemon chicken dinners, clothing and toiletries to our guests in Manhattan. Stationed on the sidewalk outside the Oliveri Drop-In Center, where those who need a place to sleep for the night can spend it on metal folding chairs, we served the men and women who were inside and walked the neighborhood with our meals and other items. We saw Bruce, the artist with sketchbook in hands, who is still in a wheelchair as he was when we saw him several months ago. He was thrilled to see us, as we were to see him, and explained...Read More

Feeding someone in need, providing clothing, a few essentials and a listening ear began before we left our starting point during last night’s soup run when we met a man who has been homeless for the past year. We then packed our cars with 100 meals, clothing and toiletries, headed to our first stop – the women’s shelter in Mt. Vernon – and then our second stop in New York City. The women shelter residents accepted one of everything we offered – socks, toiletries, T-shirts and underwear. Fr. Augustine spoke Spanish to a blind woman and put together a bag of items for her as she was unable to walk to our table. In the City, we set up in front of the Olivieri Drop-In Center...Read More

Over the course of four hours, we served 100 meals to women residents at The Annex shelter in Westchester County and our guests on the streets of New York City during last night’s Soup Run. The meals were perfect for a warm spring evening – large hero sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad, gazpacho and cookies. In addition to the meals, we distributed socks, underwear, T-shirts, toiletries, personal care products and baseball caps. When we ran out of women’s underwear, the women we encountered on the street were happy to take men’s underwear. Aside from socks, this is the most requested item. At the shelter, we gave the women feminine hygiene products, which were collected during the Philoptochos’ recent Personal Care Items drive.    We stocked up...Read More

When we arrived at our first stop, a homeless shelter for families, during last night’s Soup Run, we came upon an accident that had occurred minutes earlier – a police car smashed into the first floor of the shelter. Thankfully, there were no injuries but the accident and related police activity added complexity to the distribution of 65 meals, clothing and toiletries to the residents. They were very appreciative of the individually packaged bags we organized for each family. Only a half-mile away was our second stop at The Annex women’s shelter in Mt. Vernon. We set up our offerings, including 40 meals, T-shirts, women’s underwear, leggings, socks and sweatshirts, in the large room where women sleep on cots. The shelter is in a 1920...Read More

We served 60 hot chicken and rice meals to those who seemed particularly, desperately homeless on the streets of New York City during last night’s soup run. We gave out hundreds of socks, underwear, hoodies and toiletries – but we only had one blanket and that was the request we heard the most. The incredible appreciation for what we offered to our guests was a constant theme throughout the evening. Victor, who told us that his wife threw him out of their home due to alcohol and drug abuse, accepted all that we offered and ate his meal on the sidewalk while talking with us. He walked with us for several blocks as we made our way around the Penn Station area, saying “I want...Read More

Our two stops during last night’s Soup Run were very different experiences and ones that left us knowing we made a small difference in the lives of women and men who are truly struggling to make it through one day at a time. We provided 100 meals of lemon chicken, rice, and vegetables to those who met us on the sidewalk in front of a Salvation Army location in New Rochelle and to women staying at The Annex homeless shelter in Mount Vernon. In New Rochelle, Fr. Augustine’s affable personality shone brightly as he spoke in Spanish with our guests. We walked to the Library and found several individuals sitting on benches grateful for our hot meals. Others were too strung out to respond to...Read More

As the winds whipped up and the temperature dipped down, we were fortunate to spend most of our time indoors distributing hot meals and warm clothing during last night’s Soup Run. At the New Rochelle Community Action Program, clients stopped in for support services and picked up a few essentials and chicken souvlaki meals that we provided. Later in the evening, we moved our operation to Oasis Shelter where we were greeted by an enthusiastic group of men who immediately rushed to help us carry items from our cars. By the time we made the second trip to our cars, all meals, socks, gloves, hats, sweatshirts and jeans that we brought in the first time had been claimed. The men were incredibly appreciative. The staff...Read More

We distributed hot meals, lots of cold-weather items – sprinkled with a bit of Christmas love – during last night’s Soup Run. Our Soup Run was rescheduled due to last week’s snowstorm and we served men and women at two homeless shelters in Yonkers. Everything we took with us found its way to someone in need: chicken dinners, fruit, snacks, handknit and crocheted hats, scarves, gloves, socks, puffy jackets and vests, toiletries, face masks. Our guests thanked us and expressed appreciation for what we were offering. Perhaps the most poignant comment was one made by a man after he picked up a set of hats, gloves and a jacket: “I’m not getting anything from anyone for Christmas and it took these people to come out...Read More

The men and women we served at our new location in Yonkers were so appreciative of all that we provided during last night’s Soup Run. We served 75 chicken dinners, gave out toiletry kits, sweatshirts, socks, handmade hats, underwear, T-shirts and jeans. The wind was whipping up last night and the warm items were very much in need. One of our guest was wearing sandals and we know he was smiling, even through his mask, when we gave him two pairs of socks. We made two stops: the Y.M.C.A. Temporary Shelter for Men and the Yonkers Y.W.C.A., which provide temporary and transitional housing. Yonkers has approximately 50% of the homeless population in Westchester County, which is one of the wealthiest communities in the nation. We...Read More

We met several interesting and needy individuals during last night’s Soup Run in Manhattan, including a couple of our guests that we have not seen in some time. Most look weary but we had many nice conversations and without exception, everyone thanked us for what we gave them. We ventured out with 50 bags of turkey sandwiches, bananas and water bottles, 50 toiletry kits and 50 sets of t-shirts rolled with Bombas socks. Stationed at a table outside of the Oliveri drop-in center on 30th Street, some guests needed everything we offered, some needed only socks and food. All needed the compassion we shared, and they enjoyed our conversations. Two volunteers stayed at the table on 30th Street while four volunteers went into Penn Station and walked...Read More

We delivered 85 hot meals, 120 sandwiches and 40 toiletry kits to two homeless shelters and a soup kitchen in White Plains during last night’s Soup Run. We are delivering 60 hot meals to a homeless shelter in New Rochelle this afternoon. Our Soup Run has evolved and taken on a new sense of importance during the Coronavirus crisis. Our committed group of Soup Run volunteers and Fr. Nick had frequent conversations during the last two weeks to assess whether we could serve our guests in New York City.  We decided that when we couldn’t serve in the City, we would shift our focus to local needs. Prior to the pandemic, shelter residents would go out during the day and had access to other food...Read More

With the frigid temperatures and blustery wind, one of our volunteers said “my hands are freezing but my heart is warm” as we served hundreds of guests hot meals and sandwiches during last night’s soup run. There was a long line of hungry souls waiting for us as we arrived at the spot in New York City and they patiently waited while we set up tables with food and clothing. After serving those outside, two groups of volunteers went into Penn Station and to the drop-in center. In each location, we found many who gladly accepted our food and other items. Gloves and underwear were the most requested items. We also distributed numerous coats and blankets. We often see sparks of kindness among our guests. Last...Read More

Our guests were lined up, patiently waiting for our 7-car caravan to arrive with food, clothing and toiletries during last night’s Soup Run. We served chicken, veggies, rice and snacks. With an abundance of clothing donations, for which we are immensely grateful, we helped warm up hundreds of individuals on 33rd Street, in Penn Station and at the drop-in center. One of our regular guests, Charmaine, shared good news with us: a month ago, she was accepted into transitional housing where she will live for a year while she looks for permanent housing. She has a private room and shares a common area and kitchen with a number of veterans. She is very happy with the arrangements and remarked about how nice and quiet the veterans...Read More

Our guests were appreciative but in a hurry to find shelter from the 20 degree temperature during last night’s Soup Run. We served 120 meals of comfort food – meatloaf, rice and vegetables, and sandwiches to a long line of guests waiting for us on 33rd Street in New York City. We also walked around the block, into Penn Station, and to the drop-in center where we distributed food, hats and gloves to hungry souls. In Penn Station, we found people sleeping on the floor, some were strung out and without any belongings. Approaching individuals quietly and with compassion, we asked if they wanted a meal. Most responded by opening their eyes, lifting themselves up, accepting our food and then offering us thanks and happy...Read More

Although we arrived a week earlier than expected, a large crowd was waiting for us on 33rd Street in Manhattan for last night’s soup run. We served 125 meals of pasta with meatballs, as well as oranges, granola bars, coffee and juice. We distributed all of the clothing and toiletries we had and 75 sandwiches to others at a nearby drop-in center and on the steps of the post office. We met a wide range of guests last night: those with medical conditions, mental health challenges, substance abuse issues and others who have a home but cannot afford food. We served a rough-looking young man with tattoos on his face who was eating his meal very quickly. When we offered him a second meal, he thanked...Read More

A large crowd, one of the largest we’ve seen, was waiting for us last night when we arrived on 33rd Street in Manhattan for our monthly Soup Run. We served 115 chicken and rice dinners and 75 sandwiches. As we opened our car doors, several guests immediately helped us set up tables and unload bins of food, clothing and bottles of water. Another guest, earlier in the evening, let the nearby security guards know that we were on our way to serve those who were lining up. Our Soup Run is an experience of mutual compassion. We serve our guests in a friendly, caring manner and they do the same. Keith, one of our guests, reached into a bag we had given him and shared...Read More

“This is the best sandwich I’ve ever had,” said one of our guests during last night’s soup run. We served 225 sandwiches, thanks to donations and those we prepared, at three locations in New York City. Everywhere we walked we found someone who was hungry and happy to receive our offering. We arrived at Madison Square Garden and there was nowhere to park because trucks were double-parked on the street for a Jonas Brothers concert. Shifting to an alternate location, our guests followed us, helped us set up and waited while we organized the food and clothing in the dark and with limited light from cell phones. We distributed hundreds of T-shirts, socks, men’s and women’s underwear and the last of the warm weather clothing....Read More

The warm summer night, the compassion expressed by our volunteers and the gratitude from our guests made for a beautiful Soup Run last night. We distributed 116 meals to those waiting for us on 33rd Street and to a very appreciative group at a nearby Drop-In Center. We served chicken, rice and vegetables along with granola bars, oranges, cold bottles of water and coffee. Our guests thanked us and enjoyed their meals while chatting with our volunteers and others. The street was packed with trucks for a concert at Madison Square Garden but we managed to squeeze cars into spaces that our friends from a church in Harlem saved for us. Every month during the Soup Run, we meet new and interesting guests, re-connect with...Read More

On a hot, sticky evening in New York City, a large crowd awaited our caravan of cars and more than 25 volunteers as we turned onto 33rd Street to serve 110 meals during Last Night’s Soup Run. Anticipating our arrival, some of our guests helped unload bins and set up tables while others patiently stood in line. We served spaghetti with meat sauce, vegetables, oranges, water, juice and coffee. We met new guests and talked with some of our “regulars” who expressed their gratitude for our food and clothing. One man talked about the beauty of caring for one another no matter the race or ethnicity. He told us how much our monthly outreach is appreciated and that those guests who have come to know...Read More