Parish Ministries
Midnight Run
By: Diane McManus
"The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity." - George Bernard Shaw
If you know anything at all about St. Augustine's Parish, you would know that the one name most associated with Midnight Run here is Karen Hirdt. For 9 years, Karen has generously given her time and expertise to this noble cause. Because she has been so successful in weaving Midnight Run into the fabric of our church community, she was able to provide for REFLECTIONS a wealth of information that should be of interest to those seeking to acquire a deeper understanding of the origin and purpose of this organization.
Midnight Run began in 1984 when the Rev. Joe Gilmore along with several members of the South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry felt there was a need to minister to a segment of society that had, to a large extent, been forgotten. Today, Midnight Run is a consortium of over 100 churches, synagogues and schools who send volunteers out several times a week into Manhattan to bring food and clothing to the homeless. These volunteers, in addition, try to establish a connection with the homeless so that they may bring about a restoration of their self-worth and dignity.
St. Augustine's participation began in 1990 as part of a service project for confirmation students. Soon others became involved, and before long St. Augustine was "hosting" a run twice a year. Parishioners would be asked to sign up on a poster in the back of the church, and to deliver their food to the cafeteria where lunches are packed assembly-line style by adults, teens and children as young as 5. Lunches would then be delivered to the host church which would be in charge of the total run. This church or synagogue becomes the collection point for the lunches, blankets, clothing, toiletries, soups and coffee. The host church is also in charge of coordinating the cars, drivers and volunteers.
Participating in the actual run can be challenging yet rewarding. After the cars are loaded, they head into New York City and each makes 5 or 6 stops at designated churches and street corners. As each volunteer comes in contact with a homeless person and delivers the clothing and food, the person is then engaged in conversation to (hopefully) provide some degree of human contact that is so often absent.
Because of a decreased participation in the Sound Shore churches over the last few years (from 5 churches to 3), St. Augustine's is now hosting a run 3 times a year. Volunteers are always needed to go on the runs as well as to get things organized beforehand.
What began 16 years ago as the aspiration of one person has taken on a life of its own as it continues to provide a vital service to hundreds of the homeless poor. Midnight Run operates on the premise that we all need to be better educated about this issue in order to formulate fair and permanent solutions to the homeless problem.
"For a consensus to develop around answers to the sad reality of people living on
the street, homed and homeless alike must find a common cause. Therefore,
Midnight Run stands shoulder to shoulder with those who live in the shadows of the
City."
Midnight Run - Statement of Purpose
Recipe for Midnight Run Soup
Parishioners frequently make the following hearty soup for Midnight Run:
Midnight Run Soup
Ingredients:
3 medium onions, chopped
2 tbsp butter
3/4 lb ground beef
1 clove of garlic minced
8 cups beef broth
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes in puree
2 cups chopped carrots (fresh or frozen)
2 cups string beans (fresh or frozen)
2 cups chopped celery
3 tbsp chopped parsley
1 bay leaf
salt to taste
1 cup barley
Preparation:
Sauté onions in butter until transparent. Add ground beef and garlic and
sauté until beef is browned. Drain. Add the remaining ingredients (except
barley) and bring to a boil. Add barley, lower heat to simmering. Simmer 1 hour.
(Makes 1 gallon).
