Local Celebrity Soup Servers Serve Up Spoonfuls of Kindness

On Saturday, November 14th please join Don Lane (Mayor of the City of Santa Cruz), Kevin Vogel (City of Santa Cruz Chief of Police), Lex van den Berghe (Contestant fromSurvivor Africa and All Stars), Leonie Mendoza (Executive Assistant to the President at Santa Cruz Warriors), Dale Julie (News Anchor, KSBW Action News Sunrise), Rachael Shelton (Co-host KSCO Radio) and John Bargetto (Director of Winemaking at Bargetto Winery) for a special fundraising event, “A Spoonful of Kindness-2015.” The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Cross parish hall and features soup and salad lunch with dessert, served by notable locals; live music by The Andy Fuhrman Band; raffle and silent auction; and pop-up global marketplace for holiday shopping.

St. Francis soup kitchen, located near the railroad tracks on the tiny street of Mora, is a long-standing Santa Cruz haven from hardship. Providing free food, clothing, toilets, and showers to people living in extreme poverty in Santa Cruz County, the kitchen is inviting the public to lend a hand by joining with local celebrities to raise much needed funds.

The only place in the City of Santa Cruz that serves a mid-day meal to the homeless, St. Francis Catholic Kitchen was founded by Father Peter Carota in 1982. The kitchen strives to be a place where the needy can count on a kind welcome, food, and an opportunity to rest in safety. Every weekday, over 150 daily kitchen guests find a hearty, nutritious lunch prepared for them, and are offered free clothing, blankets or ponchos. All of this is made possible with just one paid staff person, an army of volunteer cooks and servers, and the fact that the vast majority of food, clothing, and monetary aid is donated by local Santa Cruz businesses, churches, and residents.

Recalling a frequent guest known as Sammy, kitchen director Richard Crowe says, “Although burdened by physical and psychological challenges, Sammy has a good appetite and is quick to return the smile of a volunteer who offers him a glass of milk. Sammy told me, ‘I come here because I get hungry and the food is good. I can wash myself and I feel safe. It’s peaceful. On the street, people don’t look at me, they don’t talk to me; but here, everybody is real nice.”

Event proceeds will also support Jesus Mary Joseph Home. On a quiet street in Westside Santa Cruz, Jesus Mary Joseph Home provides a 24/7 shelter for homeless women & children. Stays from 30 days, and up to two years, are needed before residents can return to independent living. Operated by the St Francis non-profit organization, with one paid staff member and countless volunteers, the JMJ Home program of Christian love, guidance, and shared responsibility has rebuilt the lives of at least 500 struggling single-parent families since opening in 1989.

Director of JMJ Home Pat Gorman says, “Many residents tell me that JMJ literally saved their lives. Coming from deep poverty, chaotic situations, abusive families, and violent relationships, I believe it wasn’t by accident, but by the sheer grace and gift of God, that they ended up here. Many of the mothers are able to go back to school and graduate. Children have returned to say that their time at JMJ was the happiest time of their lives.”

Organized by St. Francis volunteers and board members, “A Spoonful of Kindness-2015” will offer a litany of donated raffle and silent auction items. Event attendees could walk away with the latest electronic gadgets, gourmet gift baskets, sports fan merchandise, fine restaurant gift certificates, fashion or home accessories, rounds of golf, vacation stays in Carmel and Lake Tahoe, or a unique party for 20 at Shaffer Park, a private park owned by St. Francis Board President Wayne Shaffer. Also donated is the event’s musical entertainment by the country rock group, The Andy Fuhrman Band.

An added event highlight is Rising International’s Global Marketplace. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, Rising International supports women artisan groups in over 20 impoverished countries. The organization focuses on working with women in the highest risk situations, such as those in refugee camps or war-torn regions, those with HIV/AIDS, homeless or displaced immigrant women, and former slaves. Beautiful products handmade by Rising’s artisans will be available for purchase, enabling event attendees to support both local and global people in need.

Event tickets are $25, available at the door. For advance tickets, go to brownpapertickets.com & search for “A Spoonful of Kindness”. For more information, call 831-425-0845. If you cannot attend, but would like to contribute, please mail your tax-deductible donation to: St. Francis Catholic Kitchen, 205 Mora Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Or visit www.stfrancissoupkitchen.org