History of the All Souls Church Food MinistryFood has played an important role throughout several periods of All Souls history providing a means to work towards social justice and to create fellowship among the church members.Early in the 20th century, All Souls’ dining room was one of the few places in Washington where racially integrated groups could be served. This led Eleanor Roosevelt and others to hold meetings there. This and other early desegregation efforts provided the foundation for the church’s entry into the civil rights movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Rev. Howlett demonstrated his concern for the war on poverty, not only by sermons, but also by the establishment, in cooperation with the Planned Parenthood Association, of a Birth Control Clinic at the Church. The Girard Street Playground Project begun in 1962. Under the leadership of Rev. James Reeb, the Associate Minister, a Clothing Center was established at All Souls in cooperation with the Commissioners’ Youth Council. The Church members also supported the Poor People’s March in the spring of 1968 through its Center for Surplus Food Distribution. Volunteers also developed a breakfast program for the homeless that continued until 1994. The current incarnation of the Lunch Program began in the late 1990s with simple frozen lasagna, warmed up and shared after the sermons when the church was going through difficult times. Today, 20 volunteers serve over a hundred meals each Sunday to hungry congregants. |
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