Providing Hope and Meals to Those in Need

Through their food recovery program and financial donations, Chartwell’s at DePaul University in Chicago has provided tens of thousands of meals to St. Vincent De Paul soup kitchen guests. Financial donations play a large part in our ability to serve each day over 100 men and women who are in need of a meal and a hot beverage of their choice.  We are open six mornings each week.  These men and women are overwhelmingly kind and grateful.  Recently I saw a former guest on the train and he told me how wonderfully his life was going now. He has housing, a job, and was able to reconnect with his family.  He teared up while telling me that without our meals he was not sure if he would have been able to make it. Without Chartwell’s financial support, we would not have been able to provide those meals. Chartwell’s helped to sustain this man while he worked to better his life.

Chartwell’s food recovery program is also much appreciated. For many of our guests, Chartwell’s leftover meals donations provide a first opportunity to try foods they might never have otherwise tried.  The soup kitchen guests rave about the donated fruit and yogurt parfait, pulled pork, hamburgers, or Cobb salads. Chartwell’s at DePaul University provides our guests with the opportunity to get something special to eat and prevents food waste.

Beyond providing leftovers, once a quarter Chartwell’s also donates a special catered meal to our soup kitchen guests.  This meal is cherished by our guests.  For individuals who are experiencing homelessness or life instability there are not many opportunities to feel special. Chartwell’s and the wonderful food they provide allows our guests to feel valued.  We are truly blessed to be connected with Chartwell’s at DePaul.