The Christ-based ministry Our Father’s Table was founded 18 months ago by Gina Seriel and, as she explains, “We give a hand up and not a hand out” to those in need.
The street outreach program is completely privately funded. It does not accept government funds because, as Seriel notes, the organization wants to reach out to those that are put in their path and not be bound by government protocol regarding outreach.
Some 50 volunteers, including nurses, deliver food, services and support, meeting people where they are – sometimes on park benches, under overpasses, even in the gutter.
The organization has lifted 77 people from homelessness since its inception. Seriel hopes that someday there will be similar operations across the country.