Break the Fast: Eliminating the Involuntary Fast of the Poor and Homeless

Although Wilmington, Delaware is known as an affluent center for major banks and corporations, the city is also home to many people afflicted by poverty and homelessness. Each morning, hundreds of people emerge from a night on the streets distressed and inevitably hungry. At the same time, even more living in poverty leave their homes or shelter weary and under-fed. Their determination to overcome such living conditions often fades in the face of hunger, in that they must concentrate the little energy they do have on securing food rather than building a successful future. This need has been addressed by Emmanuel Dining Room of the Ministry of Caring, an organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless in and around Wilmington, Delaware. Intending to fulfill a commitment to serving the poor with love, dignity, and respect, and helping them help themselves, Emmanuel Dining Room provides healthy, nutritious meals to the poor and homeless. The program has been fighting hunger in Wilmington since 1979 by serving noontime meals 365 days a year, and has since taken its mission a step further by serving breakfast five days a week at one of its three locations. To provide quality, nutritious meals is costly, however, and Emmanuel Dining Room is in constant need of additional funds. This year, we intend to secure the necessary resources to continue this service, confident in its value to the poor and homeless. To this end, “Break the Fast: Eliminating the Involuntary Fast of the Poor and Homeless” ultimately seeks to eliminate the unnecessary hunger of those in need. A grant of $2,500 will cover the expense of breakfast food for one month, thus initiating a year of funding for Emmanuel Dining Room. By meeting such a basic but crucial need, this service essentially offers the poor greater opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.