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 set up tables and our guests accepted virtually all that we offered to them. In only a couple of instances did a guest say that they did not need an item. And you never know what will be needed – even a few very large size jeans that we didn’t think anyone could use were accepted by men and women.

It’s hard to imagine a more grateful group. With few exceptions, everyone thanked us for remembering them and providing a bit of sustenance.This month we are especially thankful to the following:

• Minos Samoladas – Financial Support
• Kathy Tzortzidis – November Soup Run Sponsor
• Manny Louros – Meals
• Cathy, Stephen, Dean and Nicholas Liakas (https://www.liakaslaw.com/ ) – Sweatshirts
• Katina Papademetriou – Fleece-lined jeans
• Zoe & Elle McMahon – Socks and Masks
• Melina Morris and Bombas (https://bombas.com/pages/giving-back )  – Socks
• Georgeann Mavrovitis, Laurie Curtis, Alexandra Speres and Maryann Koutsis  – Toiletry Kits
• Suzanne Negrin – Hand crocheted hats
• Alexandra King – Handknit hats (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HandknitMercantile?ref=search_shop_redirect )

Your support and participation in this important outreach are so very much appreciated. At a time when hunger in our communities is increasing, we are thankful for the unwavering commitment from so many. Donations of new men’s and women’s underwear, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and gloves are the only items we are accepting at this time. Please support our next Soup Run, which is scheduled for December 17, a week before Christmas Eve. Wishing you a bountiful and joyous Thanksgiving. Bless you and stay safe and healthy. 

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 30^th 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 30^th Street while four volunteers went into Penn Station and walked around the block. Penn Station is not the same – it’s quiet, there are fewer travelers, stores are empty and those who are homeless are being moved out. As we were giving food to a woman seated on the floor, an Amtrak police officer approached asking the woman to leave. At the same time, a kind woman from BRC, Bowery Residents’ Committee, https://www.brc.org/outreach-unsheltered, began talking with the woman and encouraging her to go to a shelter or hotel. BRC is an impressive organization, operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, providing outreach to the unsheltered in New York City’s subway and train stations.

We met Bruce, settled in his spot on 33^rd and 8^th Avenue, who showed us his notebook of drawings and serenaded us with a Frank Sinatra song. While talking with Bruce, one of our regular guests told us where we could find others in need nearby. There was a woman sitting near Duane Reade, a man barely able to stand in a drug-induced stupor, a hungry and disheveled looking soul, and a man flat out on the sidewalk being awakened by a building security guard and a police officer. This was all in a half block walk. Five minutes later, the man in the drug-induced stupor surprisingly walked past us and when we offered him food and toiletries, he gladly accepted them, thanked us and said, “God bless you”.

After serving a number of guests on the Post Office steps, we walked back to Penn Station and, propped up against the wall on the sidewalk, saw a handmade cross left by someone. A blessing from above. It was remarkable to see.

Thank you to the dedicated volunteers and supporters who enable us to continue to feed those who are hungry and surviving one day at a time.

This month we are especially grateful to the following:

• Minos Samoladas and Basil Livanos – Financial Support and September Soup Run Sponsorship
• Eirinni Copulos, Chrisie O’Leary and Maria Scaros – Sandwiches
• Phil & Anastasia Herzegovitch and John Copulos – Volunteers
• Melina Morris and Bombas – Socks
• Georgeann Mavrovitis and Laurie & George Curtis – Toiletry Kits
• Alexandra King – Handknit Washcloths
• Kathleen Haverlack Wasser and the American Lung Association – T-Shirts

Our next, limited Soup Run is scheduled for October 29. Your continued support and participation in this important outreach are always welcomed. Donations of new men’s and women’s underwear and t-shirts are the only items we are accepting at this time.  As BRC says: “Help build a more compassionate city.” All of us can play a role in doing so. Stay safe and healthy.  

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.