Last Night's Soup Run

by Despina Kartson

by Despina Kartson

We served pasta and gave out clothing and toiletries to a large group of cold and hungry souls who had gathered on 33rd Street in New York City during last night's soup run. Our large group of volunteers included teenagers and those who traveled from Westchester, Long Island and Connecticut and others from Manhattan.

When we first set up our tables, food and clothing on the sidewalk, one of New York's finest stopped by to ask what we were doing. He had a nice conversation with Fr. Andrew and asked us to keep a portion of the street clear for the NYPD canine vehicles that were parked outside Madison Square Garden. At the end of the evening, the officer asked, "How’d you do tonight?" We thanked him for allowing us to serve on the sidewalk and double park our cars. He said, "How could we not, you’re taking care of people."

We distributed toiletry kits, nearly 50 backpacks, tote bags, coats, sweaters, hats, underwear and socks. The backpacks and tote bags are among the most needed items and we never seem to have enough. As we were leaving, a man approached and asked us if we had any food. Unfortunately, we had given out all meals but one of our volunteers had a bag of snacks and water in her car that she gave to him. Another volunteer gave a guest his own gloves, saying that he needed them more.

Our monthly Soup Run is a special and much-needed outreach to those who are living on the streets or eking out a marginal existence. We are thankful for the dedicated community of volunteers and supporters who give from their hearts, including: 

• Ellen Musante for this month's sponsorship in memory of her son Ryan

• Manny Louros for preparing the meals

• Minos Samoladas for his donation which enables us to purchase much-needed socks and underwear

• Emmy Kalmanidis for her monetary donation 

• An anonymous donation of T-shirts and socks 

• Irene Drivas for men's shoes and clothing

• Deb Van Der Heyden for clothing and introducing new volunteers to the Soup Run

• Athena Gregory and her 8th grade Sunday School class for toiletry kits

• Constance and Georgeann Mavrovitis and Cynthia Herzegovitch for organizing the clothing and toiletries

All are welcome to join the monthly Soup Run. In-kind donations, including coats, warm clothing, hoodies and backpacks, as well as financial donations, are very much appreciated. Please join us on March 28.

GOYA Cooks!

Holy Trinity GOYA are cooking for our OASIS Shelter of New Rochelle tonite. Thank you and God bless παιδιά!

The Senior Class of Holy Cross School of Theology visited the National Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy

The Senior Class of Holy Cross School of Theology visited the National Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy in NYC. Father Nick was asked to join Maria Logus, National Philoptochos President and Georgia Vlitas, National Philoptochos Board Member and Chairman of Philoptochos Philanthropy to speak to the graduates about the Homeless Soup Run that we do at Holy Trinity Church. A member of the graduating Class of 2019 is our own Alexandra King.

Sunday Highlights

Scout Sunday!

Holy Trinity welcomed the Hellenic Society of IONA College

Holy Trinity welcomed the Hellenic Society of IONA College for their annual Social event on Saturday evening, February 23rd. Thank you Eleni Mariola, the group’s advisor and a parishioner of our Holy Trinity Church and to George Kourakos, VP of our Parish Council for their help. Thank you also to Manny and Zachary for cooking!

Thank you to Deacon Simon Menya!

An evening dinner with Deacon Simon Menya before he returns to Uganda on Wednesday. We thank him for his dedication and service to Holy Trinity for the last two years. May God grant him many years and great strength in his ministry in his homeland. We will miss him very much!

GOYA Scavenger Hunt!

Holy Trinity GOYA at the District GOYA Scavenger Hunt last Saturday at Gulliver’s Gate in NYC. Thank you Alexis Cossifos and Steve Sarigianis for organizing this event for the District!

Last Night's Soup Run

by Despina Kartson

Our dedicated group of 15 volunteers distributed 120 chicken dinners, coats and blankets to our guests on the street and in Penn Station during Last Night's Soup Run. The 13-degree temperature did not deter our serving because our guests still need to eat. We arrived at our spot on 33rd Street in Manhattan to a group who had assembled and was awaiting our arrival. Given the frigid weather, many of the homeless were not outside so we found them in Penn Station. The minute we began handing out meals, scarves and hats, others approached and we were able to feed a good number of hungry souls.

We talked with Stewart who was once homeless and now lives in Flushing. His rent is subsidized, he plays the harmonica on the subway and occasionally delivers flowers for a florist shop to cover food and other expenses. He likes to talk with our guests to demonstrate to them that they too can get off the streets. We met Steve, a self-described heroin addict, who told us he lives in a wood and cardboard structure he built on a sidewalk under scaffolding. As we were leaving Penn Station, a man approached us hustling for a quarter. When we said we only had food, he did a double take, smiled and said "right, you're the food people" - he had just seen us on the street! Many we served last night were particularly grateful, thanking us, saying God bless you and wishing us a Happy New Year.

At the end of the evening, we had several coats and toiletry kits remaining so we stopped by the Olivieri Drop-In Center, run by the Coalition for the Homeless, and offered the items to them. The Center, a storefront space with metal folding chairs and tables, was over capacity and turned away others who were looking for a place to sleep for the night while we were there. The Center Manager knew we were the group from New Rochelle because he has heard that we serve on Thursdays.

Our monthly Soup Run is a critical and compassionate outreach program that serves those who are less able than we are to provide for themselves some of life's necessities: food and clothing. We are immensely blessed with a community of volunteers and supporters who give generously of their time, treasures and talents. This month, we express thanks and gratitude to everyone involved, including:

• Evan and Denise Graf for this month's sponsorship

• Manny Louros for preparing the meals

• Minos Samoladas for his generous donation which enables us to purchase much-needed socks and underwear

• Alexandra and Richard Baudouin for new coats 

• Emmy Kalmanides for new and gently used men’s and women’s clothing and new women’s underwear 

• Susan Russon for hand warmers and hats

• Alexandra King for 24 hand knit scarves

• An anonymous donor who gave fleece blankets from the Proskauer law firm

• Cathy Florakis for boots and sneakers

• Constance and Georgeann Mavrovitis and Cynthia Herzegovitch for organizing the clothing and toiletries

All are welcome to join the monthly Soup Run. In-kind donations, including coats, warm clothing, hoodies and backpacks, as well as financial donations, are very much appreciated. Please join us on February 28.