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.

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.

Last Night's Soup Run

by Despina Kartson

During last night's soup run, we served 125 complete meals - turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, snacks and juice - to our guests in New York City who were waiting for us when our caravan of cars filled with 22 volunteers and an abundance of cold weather gear arrived on 33rd Street.

We connected with guests we serve regularly, met new people and missed those we have come to know over the years - wondering where they were. Much gratitude was expressed from so many, including the couple with five children ages 7-17. They were overwhelmed with appreciation when we gave them enough meals, hats, scarves and gloves for their children. With about 20 meals remaining, we went into Penn Station and distributed food, toiletries and clothing. In the train station, we met a man who had a bandage over his eye, was wearing dirty clothes and a thin jacket. He asked us where we were from and when we told him a Greek Orthodox church, he said he had always wanted to understand more about the Orthodox faith. Deacon Simon had an engaging conversation with the man and was impressed with his knowledge of religion.

As we were packing up and just about to leave, we noticed a man, Jose, settling in for the night on steps nearby. Jose had a grocery cart with a few personal belongings in them and a small blanket that he was pulling over him. We see many homeless on the soup run and throughout New York City who sleep on the street but it really struck us to see this man getting ready to spend a cold and breezy night outside. Racing back to our cars, we searched for any remaining blankets. Miraculously, there was one large afghan in a car. We put it on Jose and gave him a hat, scarf, gloves and toiletries. He thanked us. We were amazed that we had one last blanket to provide.

Our final amazing experience last night happened on the subway as one of our volunteers was distributing a few meals. After giving a meal to a woman, she handed him a note that said: "You are precious in God's eyes".

The soup run is a demonstration of love, compassion and commitment from the many volunteers and supporters who come together every month to share their time, talent and treasures. Our volunteers go above and beyond and last night was no different. One volunteer chose to spend her birthday serving the homeless instead of attending a celebratory dinner and another volunteer delivered bags of clothing even though it was the day after her father passed away. This month, we express thanks and gratitude to everyone involved and to the following:

• Dennis Grammas from the Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle for donating the meals

• Helen Hiotakis for sponsoring the soup run

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

• Amy and Mark of Mark Seiden Real Estate in Briarcliff Manor, NY for four large bags of coats from a neighborhood coat drive

• Margaret Luberda and the staff from the law firm Wilson Elser for six large bags of coats

• Deb van der Heyden for bags of new coats

• Carmela Capobianco (Peter Caviris' mother-in-law) for a bag of new coats 

• The Holy Trinity Philoptochos Knitting for Charity group and the entire community for donating 120 hand-knit scarves and hats

• Maria and Claudio Iaccarino of Bronxville's Park Place Bagels for hundreds of brownies, coffee cakes, socks, knit hats and scarves

• Alexis Livanos for homemade Christmas cookies

• Emmy Kalmanides from St. George (Norwalk, CT) homemade koulourakia, scarves and toothpaste

• Tara Fappiano and Jacqui Stix from the Tuckahoe Middle/High School PTA and students for toiletry kits in hand-decorated bags

• Georgianna Koulianos for toiletry kits

• Kathy Caffentzis for thermal underwear

• Athena Gregory for hand warmers

All are welcome to join the monthly Soup Run. In-kind donations, including warm clothing, hoodies and backpacks, as well as financial donations, are very much appreciated. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and one that is filled with good health, joy and compassion. In the words of Maya Angelou: "The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God - if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That's what I think."

Philoptochos honors Georgia Lyras

Our Ladies Philoptochos Society held its annual Candlelight Dinner and honored Georgia Lyras for her many years of service to the Chapter. On the occasion of the Feast of Saint Nicholas the Philoptochos presented Fr. Nick with a name day cake, and he shared the honor with Nicholas Lyras. The ladies were entertained by our own Westchester County Greek Youth Orchestra.

Last Night's Soup Run

by Despina Kartson

We learn so much from the guests we serve every month, including during last night's soup run. Serving more than 125 meals of lasagna and 120 sandwiches on a blustery evening in New York City, we spoke with guests who have a gentle and good spirit, who teach us so much about life, living and maintaining a light heart while at the same time, they do not have a permanent place to lay their head. When we asked one guest where she would be sleeping last night, she told us she'd be staying in a place without heat, electricity or water but was thankful to be indoors. We shook hands with some who remarked about how cold our hands were and wanted US to stay warm. We distributed several icon cards and talked with a gentleman who asked us to explain the meaning of the iconography and the Greek letters. Later in the evening, we saw him sharing the card with a woman. Some guests proudly showed us coats and bags they had previously received from us. A man whom we had not seen in a couple of months, explained that he was struggling and "under a storm." Our hearts and prayers are with each and every individual we meet.

Through the generosity of spirit of a growing number of supporters and volunteers, our monthly serving of those in need continues to expand. There are many to thank including: 

1. Manny Louros and Zachary Karounos for preparing the meals

2. Maria and Claudio Iaccarino (Park Place Bagels, Bronxville, NY) for 120 sandwiches and danish

3. Homemade chocolate chip cookies made by Lucy Caviris  

4. Minos Samoladas for his generous donation which enables us to purchase socks and underwear

5. Maria Dikeos for 36 backpacks and messenger bags

6. Margaret Luberda, Michael and the staff from the law firm Wilson Elser for six large bags of coats

7. Despina Taiyanides and Emmy Kalmanides from St. George (Norwalk, CT) who donated bags of new fleeces, blankets, homemade koulourakia, chocolates and snacks

All are welcome to join the monthly Soup Run. In-kind donations, including warm clothing, hoodies and backpacks, as well as financial donations, are very much appreciated. Be sure to support the Philoptochos "Hats & Gloves for the Homeless" sale on December 23rd where we hope to sell 100 sets of hand knit scarves, hats and gloves to take on the December 27th Soup Run. A very blessed and Merry Christmas to all. #PhiloStrong #bombas 

Holy Trinity Philoptochos

Holy Trinity Philoptochos served an early Thanksgiving dinner at Gilda's House in White Plains.

Last Night's Soup Run

by Despina Kartson

During last night's soup run, after we served what we thought was the last of our 120 chicken dinners, one guest approached and asked for food. And then we realized that a volunteer was heading home on the subway with two remaining meals to give away. As happens so often, seemingly out of nowhere, we had one more meal to give to the last person we met.

There seemed to be fewer guests than usual on the street so our volunteers went into Penn Station and also walked around the block distributing food, blankets and toiletries. We met Bill, 80 years old, who was happy to receive all that we offered and said he is fine but waiting to get new teeth in two months. We talked with a woman who said the icon we gave her was the best gift of all. We offered a man a prayer card, and he said, “Only if it has your phone number on it.” Replying, “Better yet, it has God’s phone number on it.“ He took the card. One of our volunteers brought a coat for a special guest who was thrilled to receive it and completely touched that we would think of her.

There are so many caring and generous supporters involved in the soup run every month. It truly takes a village and our village has expanded well beyond the borders of New Rochelle! We thank and acknowledge the following: 
the anonymous sponsor of this month's soup run
spot purchases of specially requested items by Deb van der Hayden
Manny Louros and Zachary Karounos for cooking and Kelly Sisco for helping to pack the food
Constantine Caviris for making sandwiches and cookies that we were able to give to our guests as an extra meal
Fr. Nick and Cyndi for donating two new folding tables
Alexandra Baudouin for donating winter jackets and hand warmers
Sock donations from Bombas
Minos Samoladas for his ongoing financial support, clothing and blanket donations
Tina Marie LePage, sister of Dino Yotides, who joined us from Boston, bringing with her 60 new sweaters! 
The Southampton Philoptochos for sending two boxes of toiletry kits they secured from Colgate. 
Amazing to see the far-reaching support for our soup run!

One final note, tomorrow is Make a Difference Loukoumi Day during which 100,000 children across the country will be sharing their good deeds. The Good Deed Celebration will take place tomorrow at Holy Trinity New Rochelle from 6-10pm. The children have been invited to donate one pair of socks to our soup run. Please support Make a Difference and join the celebration or donate at www.loukoumifoundation.org.

Our next soup run is the Thursday after Thanksgiving, November 29. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends and the many blessings of life!

Making Strides Walk

Elizabeth Zoulis spearheaded once again, Holy Trinity’s participation in the annual Making Strides Walk on Sunday, October 21st. The participants raised $3672 for the American Cancer Society.