Mobile Soup Kitchen
Serving the Community
“There is a feeling of great satisfaction knowing that when we go out and feed people at night, they won’t be going to bed hungry.”
- Ron Calandra
Hearts for the Homeless® has been helping the poor and homeless since 1990.
Our founders, Ron and Peg Calandra, have been with us since the start. As local missionaries, they have nurtured Hearts for the Homeless® from the beginning with a simple goal, to provide a nutritional meal to those less fortunate and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without straying from the original goal, Hearts has evolved into a full-fledged ministry that reaches thousands every year.
The Mobile Soup Kitchen is a shuttle from which prepared meals are served 5 nights a week, Tuesday thru Saturday, 52 weeks a year. Hearts has 5 dedicated volunteer Mobile Crew teams that serve our street clients outside the downtown library.
Annually, Hearts serves more than 12,000 poor and homeless people. There is a “free” clothing pantry aboard, and in the winter, brand new and/or gently used warm boots, blankets, socks, coats, hats, gloves and scarves are provided.
How We Serve
The Mobile Soup Kitchen is a vehicle from which prepared meals are served 5 nights a week, Tuesday thru Saturday, 52 weeks a year. Dedicated Mobile Crew teams made up of volunteers serve at least one night per week. Annually, Hearts serves more than 12,000 poor and homeless people. There is a “free” clothing pantry aboard, and in the winter, brand new and/or gently used warm boots, blankets, socks.
Feeding Line
5 nights a week, 52 weeks of the year, clients line up to receive a hot meal, sandwiches, drink, and dessert. They wait in line trusting we will be there.
Friday Night Summer Cookout
Hearts street clients enjoy burgers, hotdogs and picnic fare straight from the grill, cooked by Hearts volunteers, right there on the street.
A Thanksgiving Dinner to be Thankful For
Partnering with Hearts, members of Zion Dominion Global Outreach Church provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner buffet, and tables set with linens to welcome our street guests to sit, eat, relax and enjoy the holiday.
Christmas Eve Dinner and Celebration
Partnering with Hearts, the Buffalo Dream Center provides transportation to our homeless & poor clients to a memorable Christmas celebration with music, dance, gifts, and dinner.
Hearts Kitchen
Hot meals are cooked, sandwiches prepared, and take-away meal bags made up beforehand and readied for our volunteer Mobile Crews to come, pack them up and deliver to our street clients at the Buffalo & Erie County Library downtown.
Meal Prep for the Homeless & Poor
Volunteer Mobile Crews put hot meals into Styrofoam cups then, pack into thermal bags for a hot meal delivery along with sandwiches, desserts, and drinks.