In This Issue
- Voice of a Guest…Judith
- From Farm to Tray – May 21st 2015
- Planned Giving
- Voice of a Volunteer…Maria
- Bite Sized
Voice of a Guest…Judith
Judith, a 47-year-old New Yorker, has been a guest at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen for over five years.
Before falling on hard times, Judith worked for the Parks Department and before then as a nurse’s aide. But in 2010, when she and her husband both lost their jobs, they were no longer able to keep up with the rent, and evicted from their apartment. Judith’s husband spiraled into a deep depression and eventually he left Judith on her own.
Everyone is so good here. They treat you like they care. They go out of their way to help.
Homeless and alone, Judith turned to the shelter system for help. But finding her meager possessions lost or stolen at the end of each day – even when she had locked them up – became too much and she felt that she would be safer somewhere else. By using a rolling suitcase that makes her look like any other traveler, Judith has been able to make train stations, bus stations and even airport lounges her home for the last three years.
Judith is grateful for the two-to-three days each week when she is able to get to the soup kitchen, where she relies on a meal that’s not only hot and appetizing, but healthy and well-balanced. “It’s hard to find meals that include fruits and vegetables,” she says — a sentiment echoed by many of the women and men we serve. The day she spoke to us, Judith and all of our guests enjoyed pasta with meat sauce, mixed vegetables, salad, apples, milk and juice.
Judith also appreciates the compassion and kindness of staff and volunteers alike. “Everyone is so good here. They treat you like they care. They go out of their way to help.”
Recently, that help has included the warm winter coat Judith wears on these bitterly cold days. Help has also come in the form of her participation in the Writers’ Workshop where she has been able to access her own creativity for the first time since childhood and to find a way to break out of isolation by connecting with others.
Along with all the help and support that she gets from the soup kitchen, Judith loves the music and the musicians who share their talent and time. The Thursday we spoke to Judith, Karen Taborn was at the grand piano. As she played Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing” for a few moments on a cold February day — and thanks to our donors and volunteers — the soup kitchen was able to ease the worries and burdens of our all guests, including Judith’s.
From Farm to Tray – May 21st 2015
Now in its third year, our annual benefit From Farm to Tray has become a highlight on the calendars of “foodies” and friends of the soup kitchen alike – not an easy thing to do in New York City!
This year’s Honorees, Steve Pandolfi, CEO of dcc and Don Terwilliger, President of dcc will be honored for their efforts in building awareness of the soup kitchen. In 2013, dcc played an integral part in launching From Farm to Tray and activating its community of clients, vendors and employees to raise more than 50% of the $335,000 in cash and in – kind gifts to date.
Once again tasting menus will be created by some of New York’s leading culinary figures. This year’s lineup includes some returning favorites and some new faces as well:
VIP RECEPTION HOSTS
Gabriel Thompson, Joe Campanale & Katherine Thompson, Epicurean Group
FEATURED CHEFS
- Rapheal Abrahante, Thalassa
- PJ Calapa, Costata
- MaConvertini, Zio Ristorante
- Laurence Edelman, Left Bank
- Yvan Lemoine, Bodega Negra at Dream Downtown
- Ginger Pierce & Preston Madson, Freemans & ISA
- Frank Tujague, The Westin New York at Times Square
All chefs will create their dishes using sustainable and local ingredients generously provided by Whole Foods. For Executive Director Rev. Glenn Chalmers, a key part of the event is how the chefs’ approaches will mirror what takes place at the soup kitchen every day.
“We source locally grown and in season produce, we only use whole grain rice and pasta, our dairy is from New York state,” he explains. “For a lot of our soup kitchen guests the meal they have here will be the only one they eat that day. We take a lot of care to make sure it’s nutritious and, of course, that it tastes great.”
Last year, over 300 guests enjoyed the sustainable and sumptuous delights on offer at From Farm to Tray, including long time soup kitchen supporter and Academy Award winning actress, Susan Sarandon.
“Last year I made prosciutto rolls and kale gnudi,” Chef Max Convertini recalls. “I love to see people enjoy the food I create. I’m very excited to come back to Holy Apostles again and prepare a new dish.”
If you haven’t yet sampled the delights at From Farm to Tray we hope this year is the year you treat yourself to a fun night out which will raise much needed funds for the soup kitchen. And if, like Chef Max, you’re excited to come back again, we look forward to seeing you!
Secure your tickets today at www.farmtotray.org or by calling (212) 924 0167.
Planned Giving
The problem of hunger in New York City isn’t going away. Unfortunately, it’s getting worse.
Planned Giving is a way to leave a legacy of love to many people in great need. By planning ahead and leaving a gift to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in your will or trust, you are not only making a lasting impact on the lives of our guests today, but guests who will need us tomorrow as well.
Frequently gifts are made through bequests or trusts, or with gifts of stock or mutual fund shares, life insurance and retirement plan assets. Your attorney or financial planner can help you to arrange this. You will need our name, address and Tax ID number as listed below:
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
296 Ninth Avenue
New York
NY 10001
Tax ID #: 13-2892297
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Jane Van Ingen either by e-mail at [email protected] or on the phone at (212) 807 6799.
Thank you to everyone who has committed to making a lasting legacy to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. On behalf of all our guests – today and tomorrow – we thank you for your support.
Voice of a Volunteer…Maria
Maria, who retired in January 2014 from the accounting department at Job Path NYC – an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities – didn’t take a break from slicing bread on the bitterly cold February morning she spoke with us. As a regular volunteer, she knows how busy it will get once guests start to arrive.
“I want to spend my retirement giving back,” Maria explains. Six days each week she divides her time between Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and other organizations around New York City. “Even when I’m tired, I’m happy and at peace.”
Having lost her husband and daughter, Maria has known tragedy in her life, but feels these losses bring more meaning to her work here. “I asked God why. This is why, so that I have time to serve others.” She feels as though it’s her duty to help: “When I see people lining up to eat … and I know I can eat whenever I want … I have to do this.”
Volunteering is also a way for Maria to be close to her sick mother, who lives in the Philippines. “By helping people here, I’m there for my mother in spirit.”
Maria’s plan to volunteer is not a short-term one. “I want to do this for as long as I can. I’m 63, so at least another 10 years,” she says smiling. Here at the soup kitchen, we are thrilled to have Maria for as long as she’ll have us!
Bite Sized
Time to say “Thank You”
We simply couldn’t do the work we do without our volunteers. On February 5th we held our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party where we honored this important role. We recognized 22 volunteers who contributed more than 1,000 hours, 10 with more than 2,500 hours and 9 volunteers with a magnificent 5,000 or more hours of service.
Everyone had a lot of fun and when it was time to eat, for once volunteers got to serve themselves first, without having to wait on anyone else!
“If music be the food of love – play on…”
Since our appearance on the front page of the New York Times on December 30th, we’ve had even more musicians perform at the soup kitchen.
Michael Cullen is one of our new pianists to join the Holy Apostles family and we’re grateful to him and all the musicians who donate their time and talent souls as well as their bodies.
Amazon gives us a reason to Smile
If you purchase online via Amazon, every purchase you make can support Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.
Simply log in through smile.amazon.com and set your charity as “Church of the Holy Apostles.” 0.5% of every purchase will go towards helping hungry New Yorkers in need. Now that’s something to smile about…
Personal Hygiene Program
We’re excited to announce that this year, with the help of some corporate funders, we are able to expand our personal hygiene program. Alongside the “shower sheet” which provides details of where to access shower facilities, guests in need will receive shampoo, shower gel and razors as needed. These small items make a big difference in the lives of our guests.
