During COVID-19 Pandemic – A message from Coordinator Dr. Christian Elia
“As you know, we had to drastically change Hunger Patrol because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has got even more confusing as Strachan House is not receiving any donations at all and neither is Scott Mission. This decision on their part is firm. I am in contact with their respective leadership and I am confident that when they reopen themselves for donations of food and clothing, we will be at the top of the list of contributors. They are very appreciative of how we have served alongside them in caring for the poor, the hungry, the homeless for almost 25 years.
“I am so pleased that we have continued to deliver sandwiches, bread and baked goods on March 14, 21, and 28. We will continue to do so with our newest partner, Good Shepherd Ministries. They have reduced their ministry from three meals a day to distributing over 1, 700 bagged lunches daily. They are in great need of sandwiches. Along with the donated bread and baked goods, we will supply them with sandwiches as we have the past two Saturdays already.
“Here is what you need to know about how Hunger Patrol currently operates and how you can help:
- There is no more opportunity for soup. I have asked Linda to close the existing sign-up polls to avoid confusion.
- There is no more concept of a delivery crew. I am, however in need of INDIVIDUALS who would be able to act in the capacity of a solo driver to either deliver from St. Olave’s to the Good Shepherd Ministries on Saturdays between 5 and 5:30 pm or for other duties that require a delivery person. There will be no sign-up list. Please email me directly at christiandelia@hotmail.com if you can serve in this way. Note that you must act alone or with someone with whom you live already.
- Our focus now is on sandwiches. We will increase our production. If you can make individually wrapped and labelled sandwiches, please contact Maria Garofalo our sandwich coordinator, at mariagarofalo@rocketmail.com Again, these must me made by individuals or by households. We will not permit the gathering of people in the sandwich making process. When they are to be delivered, we will do so in a contactless manner.”
During non-pandemic times
St. Olave’s is home to the Hunger Patrol, a weekly mobile soup kitchen run under the auspices of the Order of Malta. Volunteers are needed to make soup or sandwiches Saturday afternoons and/or deliver it that evening with Dr. Christian Elia, a parishioner at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church.
Volunteers serve soup, sandwiches, juice and rolls, and distribute clothing and sleeping bags to the homeless downtown.