St. Augustine Hunger Center and Parish, located on West 14thStreet in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, will provide a Thanksgiving meal for the 46thyear with the prospect of feeding 20,000 people who would otherwise be unable to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
The hunger center is in need of food donations, financial contributions and volunteers in order to meet the need at the Tremont location and 33 additional homeless shelters, hunger centers and churches across Northeast Ohio.
“Many families are caught in the homeless cycle. There are thousands of people struggling with poverty. Our hunger center is proud to provide a sanctuary on Thanksgiving,” said Father Joseph McNulty, pastor of St. Augustine Parish. “This meal provides not just provisions but a community to those in need from volunteers who share compassion for those in need.”
A hot breakfast will be served 8-9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning – Nov. 28 – at Merrick House, 1050 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland. Merrick House is near the St. Augustine parish grounds. The St. Augustine Hunger Center, 2486 W. 14thSt., Cleveland, will be open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Meals also will be delivered to and served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving at St. Colman (2027 W. 65thSt.), Mary Queen of Peace (4423 Pearl Road) and St. Andrew Kim (2310 W. 14thSt.) parishes, all in Cleveland.
In addition to providing meals at these parishes, 29 other hunger centers and nonprofit agencies in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Summit and Geauga counties have requested meal deliveries to ensure homeless and homebound people will receive a dinner.
With such a big undertaking, many volunteers are needed to pack, serve and deliver the 20,000 meals. The center also is asking for food donations and money to help provide for the less fortunate.
Anyone knowing of a location, person or family in need may request a meal delivery or a ride to a facility that provides the holiday meal by calling St. Augustine at 216-781-5530.
“Monetary donations are appreciated,” Father McNulty said. Donations may be delivered or mailed to St. Augustine Church, 2486 W. 14thSt., Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
“Remember the homeless as we begin the holiday season,” he said. “Pray for them and support the shelters that seek to give a hand to those in need.”