About Us

St. Peter's Soup Kitchen in Rochester, New York

St. Peter’s Soup Kitchen has served the West Side Community of the City of Rochester, NY for over 29 years.  Father Richard Czierwin, SS.CC, a member of The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, started the program in 1982.

It started out as a once a week, Saturday Soup and Sandwich Program and has evolved to what it is today. Since many of our guests are immune challenged, our lunch program Monday – Friday is well balanced and nutritional, including all the recommended food groups. Our meals most often include: 

• Meat
• Vegetable
• Pasta, potato or rice
• Fresh tossed salad
• Fruit cup or whole piece of fruit
• Dessert and beverage

On average we serve over 140 people a day. They come from all walks of life. Many have troubles with addiction, mental illness, physical illness, lost homes and low wage earnings. We are a non-referral agency… anyone who walks through our doors is welcome to share in a meal.

Most Food Pantries in our area require documentation in order to procure food. We feel there should be a few ministries throughout the city that are open to all. Both types of ministries are needed to keep us conscious of those who might abuse the generosity of others. 

Over the past 28 years, thousands of wonderful volunteers have made our service available to the needy. Today, there are 150 volunteers working together who donate their time and talent to “feed the hungry”, enabling us to average over 35,000 meals a year.
 
Over the years… with your generous donations, we added “special occasions” to increase our services:

• Annual Christmas Store for the children – It allows parents to shop for a personal gift for their children,  selected from "new" donated gifts.  Parents must sign up their children in November with proper documentation. The third week of December we schedule a day when parents can come and pick out the gifts they feel best suite their child.
• A sit down meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas, staffed by 35 – 40 volunteers, who give up their holiday to come and be a part of ours.
• Phone, fax and copy services for the community for many who do not have access to phones. This allows our community to make Dr’s appts., contact Social Security or Social Services, secure housing, jobs, and daily needs.
• Emergency Antibiotic Drug Program and assistance with Emergency Transportation.  This is made possible through Grants received by St. Peter’s as a non-profit organization.
• Community members are honored on their birthday with a small cake, a gift, and a community Happy Birthday song after the meal. For many, this will be the only recognition they receive on their special day. 
• Donated hygiene products, socks, gloves, hats, toilet tissue, etc. are dispersed, as needed throughout the year and at the end of each month, when most needed, after benefits run out.  St. Peter’s provides basic items for their use, wheneve possible through donations.
• “Our Neighbors Table” is available daily; bread, some dairy products, and fresh vegetables (excess left over from lunch program) are placed out for our community to take home. We waste nothing.
• St. Peter's Clothing Closet is open on Thursday mornings from 9:30 - 11:00 for anyone in need of clothing. There is no referral for this service. We have men's, women's and children's clothing available. We also service emergency situations anytime during our week.

St. Peter’s Kitchen is a staple for many people who live in the Bull’s Head Area of Rochester. It is a safe, secure haven from the daily problems and violence of our city streets. Our community is comprised of all races, creeds and colors. All are served without distinction… as one family.

Our annual budget is approximately $120,000.00 a year and we are proud to say we are not under the umbrella of a larger organization. We are funded by private donations only. This ensures that 100% of your donations are being used  to benefit our community at St. Peters.

Our yearly budget is is derived from:

1. Our Annual Fundraising Campaign October – December of each year
2. Grants through our local Food Bank and Foodlink to help offset the purchase of food
3. A few churches which support us through occasional tithing
4. The United Way - we are a donor option #1324

This ministry has seen many changes over the last 28 years. With the closing of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, along with two other Catholic Parishes in the area 3 years ago… we are the only Catholic presence left in this part of the city and we are affiliated with St. Monica's Parish up on Genesee St. Our ministry is a continued example of "Christian Love" to those who come for help during their desperate hour of need.

Our long term goal is to work ourselves “out of a job”…eventually.  We pray someday we will be able to close our doors and no longer be needed. Until then, we are here daily during the week… doing all that is asked of us, to the best of our ability, by the grace of God.