St. Vincent’s to Serve Easter Meal
Lunch to Some, The Beginning of a New Life For Others

   SAN DIEGO — St. Vincent de Paul Village will serve its annual Easter meal for its non-resident homeless clients on Saturday, March 30, at 11 a.m., at its 1501 Imperial Avenue location.

   As many as 1,300 people will enjoy a traditional Easter meal of ham and all of its accompaniments. For some the lunch is more than just a nourishing meal – it marks the beginning of a new life.

   "We like to say it all begins with a meal," says Fr. Joe Carroll, president of St. Vincent’s. "In essence, our meal program serves as an introduction to the many other services we offer at St. Vincent’s, all of them aimed at helping people get back on their feet."

   Fr. Joe says the process of recovery and rehabilitation begins differently for everyone and, for some, it may never happen. But he says a helping hand is always extended at St. Vincent’s.

   "We can’t make people in need enter our programs," he says. "What we can do is maintain our presence in their lives and our meal program allows us to do that."

   Fr. Joe says when people understand they can trust St. Vincent’s to provide them their most basic life-necessities, they may one day look to the Village to assist them when they make the decision to get back on their feet.

   "It’s about developing trust and treating people with dignity and respect," he says. "When homeless people see someone else has made an investment in them, they can then make an investment in themselves, get back on their feet and regain their self-sufficiency."

   For more information on St. Vincent de Paul Village’s Easter meal, call (619) 687-1000.

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