Providing Nourishment To The Hungry

It seems ironic that it’s so easy to establish a “home” page in cyberspace, and yet the heart of our mission is to provide comfort and compassion to those who suffer from not having any place to call home. We provide over 700 meals daily to those who come hungry and in need. Some make their “home” on benches at the railroad station, the airport terminals, or less elegant large refrigerator boxes. How one gets to such a point varies; there are those who are mentally ill, others suffer from alcohol or drug addiction, still others are caught up in this terrible economy and just couldn’t make it much beyond the first missed paycheck. This past summer, we made a special effort to reach out to the children who no longer could rely on a school lunch. That’s whom we try to serve!

How do we do it?

It’s with the support of people like yourself. Those who volunteer their time, treasure, talent and energy are St. John's greatest assets. We trust in the generous spirit of our volunteers: high-school and college students, professionals working in nearby business, seniors looking to make a difference. They make up our work force. Food supplies arrive almost miraculously from local groups who collect canned foods, or from a rock concert where fans are encouraged to bring food supplies. Somehow, there always seems to be enough for us to continue serving those who live with a terrible sense of abandonment and helplessness.

There is more that we rely on than the material supplies we so desperately need. Our mission depends on God’s presence in our lives, and the Gospel challenge to “feed the hungry and clothe the naked”.

We cherish the opportunity to be “instruments of peace”. We would welcome your being part of our effort to bring God’s love into the lives of those who come to us for help.

Peace,
Fr. Bismarck