Chapel reaches out to Phoenix homeless community

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Capt.) Carlos Brito
  • 56th Fighter Wing Chapel
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Phoenix has a homeless problem.

Rozanne Hird, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Saturday Dinning Facility Outreach manager knows firsthand. St. Vincent's is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the poor.

"Phoenix has more than 10,000 homeless persons," Mrs. Hird said.

That is why more than 10 years ago members of the Luke Community Chapel Gospel Service started an outreach to those in the downtown Phoenix area.

"The need was evident," said Rob Heartwell, St. Vincent DePaul volunteer, who until recently coordinated the volunteer efforts for the last 10 years. "That's why my wife (Belinda Heartwell) and Carmen Kirton, volunteers, started cooking food once a month and feeding the homeless right there on the streets."

While the outreach has changed over the years, going from feeding people outside to partnering with St. Vincent de Paul, which provides an inside cafeteria meal, the purpose is still the same - to feed the homeless and give the Luke community the opportunity to take care of those who are less fortunate.

There are opportunities for everyone to become involved. An event took place March 13 and 12 active-duty members and dependants from the 56th Medical Group and the 56th Force Support Squadron helped feed more than 500 people.

It is amazing what you see and feel as you witness everyday-looking people who have fallen on hard times, many of them veterans, come for a meal. It is sobering and really drives home the fact that we are all in this together.

The volunteer efforts are coordinated through the Protestant chaplain office. For more information on volunteer opportunities, call (623) 856-6211.