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 sources. Now, they are staying in the shelters during the day and most restaurants have closed. Food options are extremely limited. We were very happy to help feed the 60 men and women at the Oasis Shelter in New Rochelle (https://hopecommunityservices.org/), 25 women at Samaritan House, 50 men at Open Arms, and 100 guests at Grace’s Kitchen – all in downtown White Plains. The shelters and soup kitchen are run by Lifting Up Westchester (https://www.liftingupwestchester.org/). Grace’s Kitchen gives out sandwiches, which are especially in demand on Fridays when guests take a sandwich or two to eat during the weekend. We are blessed and fortunate to have the resources to provide chicken and turkey meals and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to feed those who are hungry. Our community has a long history of preparing meals for Oasis through our Cooking for Hope and our GOYA youth programs. We are very happy to continue and expand these programs during this crisis.

When we arrived at the shelters, strict protocols were in place around accepting our food donations. We had been pre-approved and were able to drop off pans of hot, delicious food. One of the shelters was in the process of power washing the tables to ensure a clean and germ-free environment. They thanked us repeatedly for remembering them.

Our commitment to feeding those who are hungry in Westchester will continue for the next four weeks. We are providing 60 meals to Oasis, twice per week for the next four weeks. Now, since we are no longer able to gather as groups to cook, we are relying on the incredible kindness of Manny Louros who is donating his time to prepare all meals and sandwiches. After we emerge from this crisis and you see Manny, please give him a hug and thank him for his tireless efforts.

What can you do? We need two volunteers to take meals from Holy Trinity to Oasis on the following dates: April 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, and 24. If you are available to deliver, please contact Despina Kartson at dkartson@gmail.com.

Thank you to the donors, supporters and volunteers of the Soup Run. Your kindness and generosity enable us to continue to serve the much-needed meals to those who are hungry. This month we express gratitude to our supporters from across Westchester and Rockland Counties:

• Kathleen Haverlack & Joan Heller for their sponsorship
• Manny Louros for preparing the meals and sandwiches
• Minos Samoladas for his generous donation which enabled us to purchase clothing
• Georgeann Mavrovitis and Loredana Soravito Curtis for preparing the toiletry kits

If we are able to have our usual Soup Run next month, please join us on April 30^th. In the meantime, we will continue to communicate with you about our activities and ways in which you can help. We are collecting hand wipes, toilet paper, bath towels and board games for the shelters. Please drop off donations at the glass doors by the social hall. Stay home, stay safe, be well and pray for the health of all.

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 night, one man reached into his backpack and gave two shirts that we had given to him to another man whom he felt was in greater need. Toward the end of the evening, we gave our friend Judy a super warm coat, for which she was very grateful. Keith was happy to finally have a pair of shoes that he has been requesting for the last two months. He repeatedly thanked us and then helped pack the tables and bins in our cars. We also remark at how joyful some individuals seem to be, no matter what their circumstances. Stewart is one of them – always greeting us with a smile and engaging in a nice conversation.

Thank you to the donors, supporters and volunteers of the Soup Run. We could not feed and clothe so many every month without the kindness and generosity of our extended community. This month we express gratitude to our supporters from across Westchester County, Connecticut, Queens and New York City:

• Helen Hiotakis and Sappho Papaioannou for their sponsorship
• Manny Louros and Zachary Karounos for preparing sandwiches; Basil Apostle and Kelly Sisco for packing
• Sandwiches – Philoptochos from Prophet Elias (Yonkers) and Kathryn Papataros
• John & Eirinni Copulos for hundreds of fleece gloves and socks
• Deborah Farone for toiletries
• Minos Samoladas for his generous donation which enabled us to purchase clothing
• NYPD for their presence and support
• Melina Morris and Bombas (https://bombas.com/) for socks and T-shirts
• May Vlachos (St. George NYC) for clothing and the Mental Health Clinic guide, including upcoming Soup Run dates
• Constance Mavrovitis and Cynthia Herzegovitch for organizing the clothing
• Georgeann Mavrovitis and Loredana Soravito Curtis for preparing the toiletry kits

As we enter the Lenten season, we are particularly reminded to serve the less fortunate: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat….”, Matthew 25. Please join us next month on March 26^th.

“Spread the Love” feeding those who are hungry event. On February 11, 2020, the Young Professionals of New York City, led by Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert, Philoxenia and John Moxen (FOCUS) spread the love during an early Valentine’s Day event. They served 11 pizza pies, distributed water, granola bars, toiletries and Bombas socks to those who were hungry on the street of New York City.

Toward the end of the evening when the pizza had run out, miraculously, a $20 bill blew past Fr. Augustinos Psomas on the sidewalk right in front of his feet. He picked it up and used it to purchase another pizza so that there would be enough to feed everyone. A blessing, no doubt.

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 33^rd 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 are.

We distributed many socks, hats and gloves at our spot and as we walked the block around Madison Square Garden. We gave a woman a pair of socks and she told us how happy she was to receive them, noting that she would be able to put on a clean pair of socks the next day.

At the end of the evening, three men – Jersey, Naz and Poppy – approached us looking for food and any warm clothing we had to offer. We were out of food but gave them granola bars, hats, socks and warm vests. Poppy and Naz are father and son. The three live under a tarp near 33^rd street and were extremely grateful for what we gave them.

Thank you to the donors, supporters and volunteers of the Soup Run. We could not feed and clothe so many every month without the kindness and generosity of our extended community. This month we express gratitude to our supporters from across Westchester County, Queens and New York City:

• Carolyn & Stefano Sandano for their sponsorship
• Manny Louros and Zachary Karounos for preparing sandwiches; Basil Apostle and Kelly Sisco for packing
• Sandwiches – Kathryn Papataros
• Minos Samoladas for his generous donation which enabled us to purchase clothing
• NYPD for their presence and support
• National Philoptochos for hundreds of shirts and jackets
• Ron Nicholas & Gleason Paint https://paintplaceny.com/location/gleason-paint-place/ for 60 Vests
• Melina Morris and Bombas (https://bombas.com/) for socks and T-shirts
• AHEPA for rearranging their monthly schedule to join the Soup Run
• May Vlachos (St. George NYC) for clothing and the Mental Health Clinic guide, including upcoming Soup Run dates
• Constance Mavrovitis and Cynthia Herzegovitch for organizing the clothing
• Georgeann Mavrovitis and Loredana Soravito Curtis for preparing the toiletry kits

Remember those who are hungry and experiencing homelessness. Offering just one meal to the next hungry person you see makes a difference. Please join us next month on February 27, 2020.

PS – Donations of backpacks, gloves and size 11, 12 and 16 men’s sneakers are needed.