Learn more about South Loop campus ministry, including volunteer opportunities for youth groups, at
www.southloopcampusministry.org.
‘The community meal is special. When you
see people, you … know them by name.’
homeless people,” said Joe Hopkins, a United Methodist pastor who did his seminary internship with South Loop Campus Ministry. Rather than waste food, Gaulke
and the students gave it away. “From that point on, we figured we were on to something,” Hopkins said. The ministry evolved into what it
is today: a weekly bag meal and cloth- ing distribution via the program’s iconic shopping cart. Sixty bags are given out each Sunday to people who live on the streets. On the last Sunday of every
month, volunteers host a commu- nity meal at Grace Place Episcopal Church, Chicago. As they prepare lunches before their Sunday night walks, students stamp the bags with the date of the community meal so neighbors know when to show up for a warm meal and conversation. Asked if there was ever a night
they didn’t “take it to the streets,” Adams quickly answered, “No.” Even last February on arguably
one of the coldest, snowiest nights in Chicago, Adams and a small group braved the weather to connect with people who hadn’t found shelter. “We go because we know that people will be on the streets in any condi- tions,” Adams said. When school is out, visiting youth
To help: Joe Hopkins, a former seminary intern with South Loop Campus Ministry, has some suggestions on how you can help campus ministry: “I think churches can raise awareness about campus ministry before their youth go off to college. We love when churches can let us know when their youth are coming. Campus ministry can be a place where college students can practice what they’ve learned in youth group.”
groups fill in for students who are away on summer break. The goal behind “Takin’ it to the
Streets,” however, isn’t just for stu- dents to participate in community service. “Through charity we are opening the door to create commu- nity with our neighbors,” Adams said. Is it working? Adams believes it
is. Each week as students encounter their homeless neighbors—people who are often ignored by the aver- age passer-by—Adams has observed them growing bolder, first asking names, then hometowns and soon, deeper questions. “The community meal is special.
When you see people, you can get familiar with them and know them by name,” said Nick Bruenning, a senior at Roosevelt. “These are peo- ple—they have their own story and views on life.” Since participating in the program, his view of homeless- ness has changed. Adams has noticed how the pres-
ence of young people has helped lift up the homeless people they encoun- ter. Their friendship also offers a sense of accountability for those working to elevate themselves out of poverty. People who are homeless volunteer alongside the students at the monthly meal, each sharing their gifts, whether that’s running the kitchen (as one former chef does) or helping with setup and hospitality. Building relationships isn’t easy,
but time together at the community meal provides a space for students to care for the people they meet, and in turn receive care. “A person asked me how I was—
he was just so supportive. That’s beautiful to see in someone,” said Tobin, describing a community meal last school year. “It works both ways—as we are supporting them, they support us.”
Virginia’s Lutheran College
Author bio: Strybis is an associate editor of The Lutheran. She attends
Resurrection Lutheran Church in Chicago.
www.roanoke.edu 800.388.2276
November 2015 43
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