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Last Night's Soup Run - Feb. 2018

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Dear Friends - 

Everyone who needed a coat or a meal received one during last night's soup run. We served 110 meals of lemon chicken, rice, vegetables and apples to our guests on 33rd Street in New York City and in Penn Station. 

We distributed 10 bins of clothing, including much-needed socks, men's and women's underwear, pants, sweaters and coats. The warm meals were received with gratitude and thanks all around. We heard comments ranging from "God bless you" to "I want to sit down and enjoy this Greek lemon chicken". One of our volunteers brought 10 new backpacks which we distributed in less than five minutes. 

We met Joanne who was pulling a heavy milk crate. When asked about the crate, she said, "It's my life." Joanne needed a coat and sneakers and we were able to provide her with both. While in Penn Station distributing meals, scarves and toiletries, we met Fr. Louis, a Catholic monk. Fr. Louis runs a 30-bed homeless shelter in the Bronx and visits Penn Station monthly to minister to the homeless. He was interested to talk with us about our monthly homeless outreach and he told us how much he loves the homeless. With an affable personality and speaking Spanish, we witnessed Fr. Louis connecting with individuals in a very personal way. Our friend Chris was happy to tell us that he is moving into his own apartment today - after five years of being homeless. He'd like to return next month to help us serve.

With much gratitude, we thank a number of supporters of the soup run: Minos Samoladas for his donation which enables us to purchase socks and underwear, this month's sponsor, Eugenia Valliades, Manny Louros and Zacharay Karounos for preparing the meals, Deb van der Heyden for the backpacks, Athena Gregory and the 8th grade Sunday School class for toiletry kits and the many volunteers who humbly share their time, talent and treasures. Our monthly homeless outreach serves so many who have so little. Thank you! Please join us next month on March 29th. For those who cannot join us in Manhattan and would like to participate, we welcome donations of sweatshirts, backpacks and tote bags which may be placed in the white bin near the church offices.

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Last Night's Soup Run - January 2018

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Last Night’s Soup Run
by Despina Kartson

Happy New Year! We are thankful for the blessings that enabled us to begin 2018 serving the hungry and homeless again during Last Night's Soup Run. The 20 degree temperature forced many of our guests to stay indoors in the train stations and the set-up for Sunday’s Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden prevented us from serving at our usual spot. Instead, we relocated to our alternative location a block away where we served many of our meals. We also made several trips into Penn Station and distributed hot chili, rice and vegetables along with fleece blankets and hand knit scarves. And we sent Christian Glaser home on the subway with a box of 15 meals to distribute along the way. By the time he boarded the train, he had give out all the meals.

We talked with men and women who were cold and hungry and extremely grateful for what we gave them. They thanked us, blessed us and hugged us. How many of us walk past individuals just like them every day and would never think that they’d reach out for a hug? We connected with Keith who said he feels so much better after he talks with us. He said he feels as if the devil is on his shoulder always tempting him and we suggested that an angel is on his other shoulder guiding and protecting him. He brightened up and said he’d never thought about life that way. When we asked a man later in the evening how he liked the dinner we gave him, he said we “made his night”.

Thank you to the volunteers, supporters and sponsors of the Soup Run who include Deb van Der Heyden and the Yotides family in memory of their father Tommy Yotides. Special thanks, as always, to Manny Louros for cooking, Minos Samoladas for his donation which enabled us to purchase clothing for our men and women guests, Ana and Constantine Dimas for their donation of new coats, socks and t-shirts, Georgeann Mavrovitis for her diligence in preparing hundreds of toiletry kits, Cynthia Herzegovitch and Constance Mavrovitis for their sorting efforts, Alexandra King for knitting 25 scarves, and Andre Herzegovitch for the smoothie packs we gave to our guests to take with them for additional sustenance. Thank you to Manny’s neighbor, Mary Ellen Barbieri, who gave us 40 bags of sandwiches, chips and water that were decorated by children at the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church and packed by her Girl Scout troop! We could not provide warm food and clothing every month for the 125 needy souls without the support of the entire Holy Trinity Community, and beyond, and for that, we - and our guests - are immensely grateful.

We received the following note wishing us a Happy New Year: "Happy New Year 2018 to the ladies and men who help to make this world a better place and who is always given to those who need. May God bless you all for the good work you do. Thank you. Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous New Year. Have a bless, safe and wonderful day. With love."

Please join us on Thursday, February 22.

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Last Night's Soup Run - Dec. 2017

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Christmas came a little early to our guests on 33rd Street during Last Night's Soup Run. We provided more than 100 sets of hats, scarves and gloves knit by our Knitting for Charity group which were packaged in holiday bags and very well received. We served 130 meals to those who were on the street and other hungry souls we found in Penn Station.

We met a number of new guests and caught up with some of our "regulars". One gentleman told us he has been on dialysis for 7 years and is getting a kidney transplant next week. He asked if there was anything left for him and we had one last hat/scarf/glove package that we happily gave to him. He said he has been clean for 9 years and that God has blessed him with a transplant. He looks forward to being in the hospital "in a nice warm bed, with food and people taking care of me".

A couple, married for 20 years and with four children, is living in a homeless shelter in the Bronx and just learned that it is closing in January. They sent their children to live with a grandmother in Puerto Rico but they were displaced after the grandmother's house was destroyed by Hurricane Maria in September. The children and grandmother are now living with other family members in Florida while the parents try to get back on their feet and bring their children "home".

One of our volunteers had a long conversation with Sol. Sol was born and raised in Morocco and moved to Manhattan when he was in his twenties. Early on, he lived in an apartment in Chelsea with a friend and worked as a chef at an Italian restaurant. During 15 years as a chef, Sol learned many cooking techniques but grew bored of the occupation and moved on. He started working in Brooklyn with a friend but was let go and could not afford his apartment which has now caused him to be out on the street. He talked about how hard it is on the street but expressed sincere gratitude for our group's generosity and efforts. He also realized that things could be worse - if he were sick or injured.

After talking with Sol about the bad times, they quickly moved on to the good: his home country Morocco. We talked about his hometown Casa Blanca, which is filled with magicians who eat glass and tame rattlesnakes. He was thrilled when he heard that Morocco had made the World Cup and that the USA hadn’t. He mentioned that about five years ago he was going to move back, said he had 10k saved up but he fell on hard times and had to spend it all to survive. Our volunteer so enjoyed talking with Sol that he is inspired to visit Sol's hometown in Morocco!

We learn and receive as much as we give when we talk with our guests. They may surprise and amaze us with the stories of their lives and perhaps most of all, we are reminded that they are people just like us.

Thank you to our special, most generous sponsors of this month's soup run: Martha Kypar in memory of Manos Kypar and Danna Copulos whose donations enabled us to purchase extra clothing items; Peter Pappas for donations of socks and oranges; Alexis Livanos for her annual Christmas cookie treats; and the Grammas family from The Greentree Country Club who provided the delicious meals of turkey, mashed potatoes and vegetables. Thank you to our many volunteers who served last night and to all who support us through their donations and work behind the scenes.

Please remember the hungry and the homeless in your prayers - always but most especially at this time of year. We are in need of warm clothing: jackets, coats, sweatshirts and blankets. Join us next month on January 25th. Wishing all a very blessed Christmas and a 2018 that is filled with good health and a happy home. #lastnightssouprun

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Philoptochos "Hats and Gloves for the Homeless" sale

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The Philoptochos had a very successful Hats & Gloves for the Homeless sale after liturgy today. We sold more than 100 sets of scarves, hats and gloves that will be distributed this Thursday during our Soup Run. We thank the Knitting for Charity group for knitting and crocheting the beautiful items.

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Last Night's Soup Run - Nov. 30

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"Attitude is gratitude" was the theme of Last Night's Soup Run when one of our guests on 33rd Street told us how he tries to stay positive and how appreciative he was for the food we provided. We served 110 delicious meals of turkey, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots to the group that awaited us. Our caravan of five cars and 20 volunteers distributed hundreds of clothing items including new jackets, fleece-lined flannel shirts, sweaters, socks, t-shirts, pants and toiletries. As we parked our cars, some of our guests helped us unload them and others worked with us to distribute food and clothing.

Imagine our delight when Joan showed us the coat she was wearing which was one we had given her last month. She was proud and happy to be wearing a warm coat and thanked us again for giving it to her. 

We talked with Alberto, a former building Super, who lost his job, depleted his savings, has no family in New York, and has been living on the streets for five months. He met another homeless person one night who shared food with him and took him to a location where others live outside and in tents. Alberto is thankful that he has met good people on the streets who look out for one another. He also told us that "I pray to God every night to keep me safe until morning but I don't think he's listening to me." We suggested to him that God is listening because he is keeping him safe. Alberto, and all of our guests, need to be remembered in our prayers. 

One of our teenage volunteers gave a guest the gloves he was wearing and plans to return next month to give away all of his sneakers that he no longer wears. And we never know what to expect on the streets of New York...what requests will we receive and what stories will we hear. Last night one man asked us for teeth! 

Thank you to Angelika Kypar-Krischke, sponsor of this month's soup run, the many volunteers who serve and who organize the clothing and toiletries, and to the entire Holy Trinity community for being so supportive. We were able to purchase many clothing articles this month with the generous donation from one of our volunteers, Christian Glaser. Christian ran in the NYC Marathon earlier this month, established a Go Fund Me account and donated the money to the Philoptochos for use with the Soup Run. Thank you also to Alexandra Baudouin who provided a number of new coats, jackets and flannels. This month we also wish to give a very big thank you to George Kalyvas who completed his Eagle Scout project of creating a new storage solution for the Soup Run items. George installed rolling shelves, color-coded storage bins and a system that is efficient and well-organized. God bless you, George, God bless all of you! 

The annual Philoptochos "Hats & Gloves for the Homeless" sale will be held on Sunday, December 17 after Liturgy. We will be selling $5 gift sets of scarves, hats and gloves which are knit by the Knitting for Charity group. The sets will be distributed with a Christmas card to our guests on December 21. Please support this important outreach and join us next month. #lastnightssouprun

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"Last Night's Soup Run" published

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Holy Trinity Parishioner Despina Kartson publishes her memoirs of 10 years of Soup Runs!

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A memoir full of stories about the often-overlooked homeless population, Last Night’s Soup Run tells a tale of compassion and love via a collection of emails by Despina C. Kartson, a member of an outreach program that feeds the hungry on the streets of New York City.

Through these monthly Soup Runs over the last 10 years, the group has served more than 10,000 meals to their guests on 33rd Street. In these pages, you will learn about real people with real challenges. These individuals have taught Kartson so much, and she's privileged to pass their stories and lessons on to you. They are just like the rest of us, but they're often unseen -- passed over and lonely.

For years, via e-mails to the volunteers and supporters, Kartson has summarized the highlights of their Soup Runs. These first-person accounts offer a glimpse into the lives of those struggling every day with poverty and hunger. She has compiled those e-mails and accompanying comments from members of the outreach into Last Night’s Soup Runto inspire others to help the hungry and homeless. Whether it’s sharing one meal or starting your own Soup Run (which Kartson’s book will help you do), you can pass on this tradition of compassion, dignity, and love. Kartson's hope is that the compassionate among us continue to love them and feed them until none who walk among us are hungry or homeless.

By purchasing this book, you are helping the very people you're reading about: All proceeds go to Philoxenia, a nonprofit founded by Kartson, which provides funding for organizations that feed the hungry and care for the homeless.

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Last Night's Soup Run - Oct 2017

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by Despina Kartson

"I was waiting all month for your hot chocolate," said one of our guests during last night's soup run. Our hot chocolate with whipped cream, delicious meals and warm conversations are offered to our guests on the streets of Manhattan every month and last night we were blessed to feed 125 individuals. The hungry and homeless were waiting for us and we couldn't unpack quickly enough. Some helped us unpack and set up our tables, others helped maintain order.

We met Rick who sticks together with a small group of other homeless men who look out for each other on the streets. He told us they respect the police because the police respect them, understanding their situation and allowing them to sleep overnight on the subway. Sal, who emigrated to the US from Morocco, calls the subway his home. Three years ago he lost everything and after two weeks staying in a shelter, decided to live on the streets where he feels safer. He also talked about the disrespectful way in which shelter staff treat the homeless, saying "they think we were always homeless and that we are bums but they have no idea". Listening to Sal and Rick, we are reminded that whether it is a police officer, shelter worker or any one of us, treating the homeless with dignity and respect is one of the simple things they crave.

Another man told us how he manages to have a cup of tea every day. Buying his own tea bags, he gets a cup of hot water from Starbucks and saves the cup. When people ask him why he spent money on Starbucks, he is proud to explain his frugal approach to enjoying his simple pleasure - a cup of hot tea.

Robert has become one of our "regulars" over the last year. We have mixed feelings about seeing some of the same guests every month - we are happy to feed them one more time but we are concerned about their chronic homelessness and their mental and physical health. Robert is not in good shape at all. He has open wounds, won't allow us to give him a shirt and walks the streets wearing tattered and torn pants and remnants of a shirt. But he did let Fr. Patrick buy him a foldable wagon for his few possessions after he complained about his plastic bags falling apart. With all of his issues, Robert seeks us out every month and talks with Fr. Patrick and others. We are making small connections - he needs our prayers.

Thank you to all who are a part of our monthly outreach to the homeless including Manny, Zachary and Kelly for preparing the food, our anonymous sponsor of last night's soup run, and the many volunteers and supporters from the Philoptochos and Holy Trinity community. We are in need of warm clothing - sweat shirts, jackets, pants and socks. Please donate what you can of your time, talent and treasures. Join us on November 30th.

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Soup Run - July 2017

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A large group was lined up and waiting for us at last night's soup run in Manhattan. We couldn't get to our usual spot because of an event at Madison Square Garden preventing access to the street so we relocated to our alternative spot a block away. The word was already out and by the time we arrived, our guests were waiting patiently. Some helped us set up tables and serve. Two tourists from North Carolina saw what we were doing and helped distribute socks. We served 125 sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, coffee and water with - - received with much appreciation.

We gave the special request items to those who had asked for sneakers and clothes and they were overwhelmed with gratitude. I saw more hugs between our volunteers and guests last night than ever before. 

At one point, we were reminded of the decency of those we serve and how they expect (and deserve) to be treated. We were taking a photo of a group talking with one of our volunteers, careful not to photograph their faces for privacy reasons. One of the homeless men stepped aside and quietly suggested that the next time we take pictures, we not take them of any of their faces. We showed him the photo that did not capture any faces, other than those of our own group, and assured him that we are always respectful of their privacy. The calmness and consideration he displayed during this exchange was a lesson, on several levels, for all.

Survival is what the homeless do on the streets of NY. They find ways to keep things together - whether it's creatively securing the belt they are wearing by inserting a pen through holes (Fr. Patrick bought the man a new belt!), or carrying around a folder of important personal papers including a social security card, or asking for extra granola bars and sandwiches for a meal the next day. We met the working homeless as well. One man, who delivers packages for Amazon, is happy to have a full time job but does not yet have enough money to open a checking account in order to rent an apartment so he sleeps on a friend's couch while he saves money. 

Thank you to all who gave of their time, talent and treasures yesterday as the sandwiches were prepared by Manny, Zachary, Kelly, Voula, Despina and her sons. Our loyal group of cheerful volunteers distributed toiletries, socks, men's and women's underwear, pants, shorts, shoes and flip flops - all donated or made possible through the monetary donations of individuals including Minos Samoladas. Thank you to Harry Wilson and family for sponsoring last night's soup run. Please join us on the last Thursday of the month - August 31 - when our guests will be expecting us. Share this with your friends #lastnightssouprun.