Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen

November 19, 2008
Reporter: Parimah Sedaghat

Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen
296 9th Ave. New York, NY 10001
212 924-0167


“I live from pay check to pay check. I have been coming to this soup kitchen when I am running low on cash. Their hospitality is a blessing. They do not only provide food, they also provide free hair cuts, clothing, metro cards, hygiene products and identification cards,” said Marcus Scott standing with his back against the bitter wind outside the Holy Apostles Church.

Located at the corner of 9th Ave. and 28th St., Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen has been serving New Yorkers in need of food for the past twenty six years. According to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, 1.3 million New Yorkers live in food insecure households. The economic downturn has increased the number of guests at this soup kitchen.

“Last year we averaged about 1,160 meals a day, but this year we’re averaging 1,250 meals a day,” said Neville Hughes who handles fundraising and public relations for the program.

“I am a self employed vender. I used to come here once a week or once a month, but recently I have been coming two to three times a week,” said Terry Johnson who has been affected by the recent economic decline.

Individuals, foundations and corporations contribute to 50%, 35% and 5% of the funds required to buy the food from New York’s food bank, and to pay the kitchen and security staff.

“It’s a good feeling working here. Guests give compliments when they like the food, and they also tell me when the food is bad,” chuckled Chef Chris O’Neil who has been working here for the past 9 years.

Today’s meal consisted of chicken chow mean, rice, peas, coleslaw, sliced apples and bread. Monday through Friday 45 volunteers donate their time in order to serve food from 10:30am until 2:30pm.

“When September 11th happened, I decided to join the volunteers of this soup kitchen”, said Joe Negrelli. “One time we had a homeless woman come here to give birth. We called 911 and one of volunteers helped her deliver. The baby was put up for adoption and the woman walked away. She was homeless and a drug addict.”

Jonathan Caroline is relatively fortunate among this crowd. He lives at half way house, is provided with a bed, linens and financial assistance and pays $30 a month for rent. With four felony counts on his record, Caroline is having a hard time finding a job and is skeptical about Obama’s presidency making any difference in his future. “Obama being black does not mean anything to me. If he can fix Bush’s mess, create jobs, and get people off the street into affordable housing then I am all for it,” said Caroline who is black.

“I see the same people here. Looks like nobody is getting anywhere. I go to drop in centers. They promise to find me a place to live, but so far nothing comes of it. I sleep in the subways,” said Lorenzo dressed in clean jeans and jacket. Lorenzo uses his recreation center membership card to use the showers at a local park. “I dry myself with my t-shirt and then throw it away along with my socks and underwear. I buy new socks and underwear every two days. The rest I dry clean, so I can look presentable and not smell bad. I use the dry cleaners as my closet.” Lorenzo who is a Vietnam Veteran has been sporadically homeless for the past 15 years. “More than anything I need housing. I don’t like to go to shelters. A lot of stealing, drugs and homosexuality goes down there and the staff is ok with it,” said Lorenzo sitting at one of the many tables inside the warm atmosphere of this church. “I pay $250 a month on child support. People give me so much grief when they give me money: use it wisely, don’t spend it on beer or drugs. I don’t need to be lectured and disrespected.” Lorenzo has no hope that his future will improve.