WHO WE ARE:
Since 1984 St. James has conducted an outreach ministry at Austin Street Centre in downtown Dallas. The Centre, which opened in 1983, each day provides emergency shelter, food and medical care to more than 350 men, women and children. Austin Street Centre has evolved into a faith-based therapeutic community. In addition to meeting basic human needs, ASC provides services and programs to help individuals progress from poverty to productivity.
The safe, compassionate and caring community that St. James volunteers encounter at Austin Street Centre draws its inspiration from the Holy Gospel — “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” — Matthew 25:40
WHAT WE DO:
On the first Sunday evening of each month, St. James parishioners prepare and serve dinner to ASC residents. Opportunities exist for parish volunteers both in food preparation and in food service. Four teams consisting of 20 or so individuals serve dinner three times a year.
Many St. James members also support the ASC ministry by contributing baked cookies and boiled eggs. Such items are extremely well-received by ASC residents. The Prep team assists by opening hot dog buns in our parish hall for delivery to the Shelter. They also deliver hard boiled eggs to the shelter on our service day.
WHEN AND WHERE WE MEET:
Members of St. James service teams gather at the Parish Hall at 5:15 p.m. Team members load food (and donations of clothing), drive downtown to ASC, set up two serving lines and feed the shelter residents. Team members then return to the Parish Hall to clean and store utensils. The whole process takes 90 minutes or so — some of the most meaningful 1.5 hours you’ll ever experience.
WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME:
Kindness, cheerfulness, promptness, dependability and a generous spirit. The prep team would like for you to assist at least three Sundays a year (quarterly), usually one hour each Sunday.
WHOM DO I CONTACT:
Kirsten Conover
214-563-5340 (cell)
Email krismmc@hotmail.com
Marilyn Russell
903-560-1501
Email: russell2b48@netzero.net
YOUR HELP CAN BRING HOPE