At Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, we are a community. We’re a community of volunteers, supporters, guests, and donors, who support each other in whatever ways we can: through donations, volunteering, or helping out a neighbor in need. We wanted to spotlight some of our guests who lend a hand to their community and give back through the Soup Kitchen.
We recently met Jason, a young man who has been attending the food pantry for about a year. He picks up groceries for himself each week. He then goes home, puts away only what he knows he will eat, and divides the remainder of the food he has amongst his relatives who are also experiencing hunger. “This way,” he explains, “there is no waste, and everybody can have a little something, even when they can’t afford it.”
Jason, like so many others, is struggling to find a job that pays enough to cover his bills because his industry isn’t hiring. Without his regular income, he says, “I really rely on this food – I get everything I need here.” Despite his hardships, he still manages to share these items with others who he knows need extra support.
Another guest, Gregory, is in the practice of sharing with his neighbors as well. Gregory started visiting Holy Apostles last year, after his boss passed away and he lost his job. He recently moved to a more affordable apartment, which is an hour and a half away from the Soup Kitchen by public transit. However, he continues to make the trip, taking two trains and one bus to pick up weekly groceries for himself and the older women at his church.
Like Jason, Gregory takes only what he knows he will eat from the groceries he picks up here, and brings the rest to congregation gatherings to pass out to those who are unable to make the long trip here. Gregory told me that since his family lives in Japan, he wants to be able to take care of those who are close to him when they need his help.
Jason and Gregory are just two of our guests who support their friends, families, and neighbors. We’re grateful for all of our community members who lend a helping hand whenever they are able.
