Joseph* wanted to be a painter. Diving back in his memory to his childhood, he aspired to have his work placed on display in museums around the world.
“It didn’t turn out that way,” Joseph shared with a bittersweet smile.
Joseph was among more than 200 guests who had arrived on a Tuesday night this spring at Catholic Charities offices on North LaSalle Street in River North for an evening meal.
“It’s the first time I’ve been here and it’s quite an operation,” he stated.
For more than 20 years, evening suppers have been a staple of the organization, providing more than just a nutritious meal. “Our goal is to help ensure that every person that comes here feels welcome, safe, and nourished,” says Mary Anzilotti. “They depend on us to be here for them.”
Hot meals are offered on weeknights at Charities’ St. Vincent Hall and at other locations around Cook and Lake counties. On Tuesday nights on LaSalle Street, volunteers are invited to partner with staff and local organizations and groups who prepare the room, assemble meals, greet guests, serve them, and foster a spirit of welcoming community.
Want to help at a Catholic Charities evening supper in locations around Chicago?
Contact partners@catholiccharities.net
On this particular evening, a corps of volunteers from JP Morgan Chase arrived to lend a hand to the team that coordinates the meals on other evenings. Their contributions helped to build an uplifting atmosphere that even Joseph felt.
“The food is so good and the company is even better,” said Joseph, who made his way to the supper from a shelter he’s staying at on the city’s near north side. Originally from a rural town east of Indianapolis, Joseph moved to northern Indiana, served in the Army, and worked in the steel trade before losing his job prior to the pandemic.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics research revealed Illinois’ labor market was grinding to a halt before the outbreak with COVID exacerbating the problem. Joseph called a number of his jobs “hits” that all became “misses,” eventually being evicted from his apartment and overextending stays with friends.
“I’ve been on my own but I don’t feel alone,” he remarked. “I’ve got a cousin in Milwaukee that I hope to see in the next few weeks.”
As Joseph plans his journey, he says he’s thankful for organizations like Catholic Charities that offer people in crisis a sense of hope that’s delivered with respect. He mentions that if he stays in the area, he’ll definitely be back.
Of note, St. Vincent’s Hall is adorned with photography provided by some of the guests at evening dinners. Peering around the room as he prepares to leave, Joseph gazes at the artistry with awe.
“I see the love and tenderness that lives in these photos, and that gives me a sense of hope,” says Joseph. “Maybe it’s a sign for me to pick up my brush again to start painting.”
As he leaves, he laughs, smiles, and thanks the volunteers, grateful for his nourishment.