During the holiday season, community is especially important. For many of our neighbors, the community at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen provides them with comfort and nourishment of both the body and the soul.
One member of our community is Maria, who has been visiting our meal programs every day for two years. Maria shares an apartment with a friend, but with a small kitchen and limited money for groceries, she eats most of her meals at the Soup Kitchen. Each day, she’s one of the first people in line outside our gates.
“I get here early for the community,” she says. “Everyone is so nice. The other guests, and the people who work here, they’re so, so nice.”
On Thanksgiving Day, her favorite holiday, Maria cooked up a feast at her uncle’s house with groceries from the Food Pantry at Holy Apostles.
And on Christmas, she’ll be here at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, her other home.
Like all members of the Holy Apostles community – guests, volunteers, and supporters – Maria has a generous spirit. Earlier this month, she dropped off an extra winter coat, saying that she only needed one to get through the season. “So many new guests here don’t have any coat, anything to keep them warm. I wish I had something to give the kids, but I give what I can.”
At Holy Apostles, guests like Maria are thankful to be a part of this community, and they’re thankful for all of our supporters. Even when they are struggling or are away from their families, they can join our family here at Holy Apostles. They can enjoy a hot, nutritious meal, and secure other resources that aid them on their path to stability.
