“…I bent down to them and fed them.”—Hosea 11:4

 
Join us in our walk for hunger.

The cathedral's 5000 Club Food Ministry continues to grow in meals served and in volunteers participating. It started in the spring of 2006 as an effort to provide hospitality to the women who live at the nearby Anna Louise Inn. On our first Tuesday evening we had 30 guests for our sit-down dinner. Attendance grew week by week to the point where, as 2007 draws to a close, we have close to 200 guests each Tuesday. Between our Tuesday dinners, take-out meals, and boxed lunches, the 5000 Club has provided more than 10,000 meals.

And the corps of volunteers keeps growing. Cathedral volunteers are joined by those from Mary Magdalene Church in the northeast suburbs, the SUMA Fatherhood Program, and Holy Family Catholic Church in Bellevue, Kentucky, plus many others. Each Tuesday, our volunteers cook the meals, set the tables and sit down to eat with our guests.

But the dinner is far from the only 5000 Club activity. With winter upon us, articles of warm clothing, including socks and shoes, are in demand. Many have been generous with gifts to our Clothes Closet but more donations are needed.

Corporations have helped as well. Most recently, Wal-Mart made a donation that included a huge quantity of bottled water and other staples for the lunch bag program.

Coordinator Mark Sackett says, "The community owes a debt of gratitude to the many volunteers who have dedicated so much of their time and energy to this ministry during the past 18-months. Over 100 people have taken part, the hours are too many to count, and there is no scale to measure their compassion. Thank you one, and all."

If you would like to join the volunteers or make a donation to this effort, click here.