05/29/2026
By Despina Kartson
Dear Friends,
Perfect weather. Glowing Manhattanhenge. Beautiful evening to spend with our dear guests during last night’s Soup Run.
When we passed the crowds photographing the stunning Manhattanhenge on 34th Street in NYC, we turned the corner and found our guests lined up and waiting for us. We served 125 chicken dinners, provided toiletries and socks. The atmosphere was calm and we connected with so many, including some who remarked about knowing us for the 13 years they’d been on the street. Imagine – 13 years living unhoused. New York City statistics show more than 4,000 individuals are chronically homeless.
Deacon Benjamin from St. Vladimir’s Seminary connected with a woman having a tough time dealing with her husband’s mental breakdown. He was a comforting presence to her and she asked him to pray with her.
We spoke with Miss W. about her court case. After moving to NY from California to care for an aunt suffering from dementia, she was evicted from the apartment when her aunt passed away. She is now representing herself (she went to law school) in a lawsuit to move from the shelter back to the apartment.
We continue to think “there but for the grace of God go I” as we talk with our guests. For so many, their lives were “normal” until a catastrophic event completely upset the comfort of their lives.
Our friends from St. Nicholas (Wyckoff, NJ), led by Peggy Goulet, brought sandwiches, snacks, juice and clothing. What a team we are! It takes a village to do the Soup Run every month, including planning, gathering and organizing all month long for this special last Thursday of the month.
Thank you to every individual and every group in our Soup Run community: Holy Trinity, St. Nicholas, supporters and volunteers from Westchester County, Queens, Long Island, New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey, those of various faiths and friends of friends, who make this beautiful outreach a reality. This month we are grateful for the generosity of the following:
• Financial Support
o April/May Soup Run Sponsors: Cleo Marantis, Eleni & Aristides Garganourakis
o Fay & Peter Bisson
o Irene Drivas
o Vaso Petsagourakis
o Minos Samolodas
o Philoptochos of Holy Trinity (New Rochelle, NY)
• Meals/Sandwiches/Treats/Snacks
o Manny Louros – Meals
o Kathy Papataros – Cookies
o St. Nicholas (Wyckoff, NJ) – Sandwiches, Snacks, Water
• Clothing/Socks/Toiletries/Backpacks
o Dr. Lisa Coplit – Men’s Underwear and T-Shirts
o Sophia & Maria Resvanis – Backpacks, Drawstring Bags, Reusable Grocery Bags
o Kathleen Haverlack Wasser – Women’s Clothing
o Ioana Pertruta & Dept. of Neurology Westchester Medical Center– Socks, Reusable Grocery Bags
o Constance Mavrovitis, Olga Kalyvas – Clothing Organization
o Melina Morris and Bombas (Bombas) - Socks
• Toiletry Kits/Personal Care Items
o Georgeann Mavrovitis, Loredona & George Curtis, Alexandra Speres, Maryann Koutsis, Kathy Papataros
o Philoptochos of Prophet Elias (Yonkers, NY)
• Reusable Grocery Bags –
o FreshDirect (FreshDirect)
Thank you for your continuing support and participation. Monthly Soup Run sponsorships are available for $150. If you would like to sponsor, send a check payable to ‘Ladies Philoptochos Society of Holy Trinity’ to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804. We are accepting donations of re-usable grocery bags and new underwear.
The next Soup Run will take place on June 25, 2026. Please join us.
