Monthly Archives: January 2011

For those concerned about people living in poverty and without housing, St. Mark’s provides various ways to reach out to help folks in need.  Particularly, they provide support through warmth and food.  Rev. Spencer Simrill notes that, “St. Mark’s is about feeding people.”   The outreach programs at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral are as vibrant and welcoming as the many members who give their time to help in the community.

To live out their vision of passionate hospitality and service to others, over 100 members volunteer with St. Mark’s outreach. One of the opportunities is to serve the Sunday or Monday night meals. Along with Hennepin Avenue United Methodist, Westminster Presbyterian, and Plymouth Congregational, St. Mark’s takes their turn once a month to serve a community meal on the second Sunday.  At their location, 200 to 300 individuals are served a hot meal, most of whom are living in poverty and come to the evening meal to help stretch their budget.  In their service of feeding, St. Mark’s saw a need to provide a meal and space for young adults struggling to cover their rent, utilities and basic necessities.  Now every Monday night, around 80 young adults age 30 and under come and dine at St. Mark’s. St. Mark’s works with community organizations to connect young adults to needed services that evening.

About seven years ago, a couple from St. Mark’s started Warm Space– an afternoon open space for folks to come in from the cold or the hot and have a space to rest. St. Mark’s opens its coffee lounge from 12:00 pm-4:00pm. Not only is hot soup served, but Warm Space is a place for community connections. The folks who come regularly become community to one another and to the St. Mark’s volunteers. According to Sally Cuningham, a Warm Spaces program leader, “Guests are part of the community. We are involved in each other’s lives and celebrate the successes of finding an apartment or job.” Everyone who comes to the doors of St. Mark’s is an individual with the potential to be successful, but may need the help and support of a community.  The volunteers at Warm Space strive to learn everyone’s name. A long time participant who became a volunteer, Darlene, says “Every major city should have a Warm Space. People who are homeless are people, too.” This is a place where people can feel safe and a place where their dignity is restored.

While their outreach ministries help those that come to their doors, St. Mark’s also believes strongly in partnering with other organizations in our community to better serve our neighbors in need. With Episcopal Community Services, St. Mark’s supports families to improve their lives and move out of poverty by providing mentors and supporting case workers. St. Mark’s also supports programs like Meals on Wheels, Neighborhood Involvement Program, Simpson Meal Program, and Groveland Food Shelf.

Volunteers and members of the parish work hard and donate their time and resources to St. Mark’s outreach ministries to ensure that the people in our community are fed and have the opportunity to be in a safe, inviting environment.