“It’s not often we’re everywhere at once,” but that’s what happened on a stormy Saturday in January, said Vince Farhat, KM and Los Angeles Location Hospitaller, “From the beaches to the West Side to downtown LA – it was a real trifecta.”
The day began just after sunrise at St. Robert’s in Venice, where members of the Order of Malta Auxiliary and volunteers served breakfast to the large homeless community in the area. The Saturday Food Program at St. Robert’s Center has served the low-income families and the homeless population of Venice Beach for over 25 years. Volunteers arrived at the center at 7:30 am for food preparation and served breakfast beginning at 9 am until just before Noon. “I can’t think of a better way to spend Saturday by the beach helping our needy neighbors,” said Dennis Hardwick, Auxiliary Member and charity coordinator.
On the West Side, Knights, Dames, and volunteers worked to prepare more than 700 sandwiches at Good Shepherd Catholic Church for those in homeless encampments on the Westside and Hollywood. Nick Kublicki and charity coordinator, his family, and volunteers including Judge Jackie Connor, have prepared thousands of sandwiches over the years for the “Feed My Poor” program.
Finally, Tim Shannon, president of the Order of Malta Mobile Ministries along with Knights, Dames, and volunteers pitched Order of Malta tents at the annual OneLife LA, a gathering of thousands in downtown Los Angeles to support and witness the beauty and dignity of every human life. The family event began with a solidarity-building walk through downtown Los Angeles, ending with a festival, live music, food trucks, entertainment, and inspiring speakers. While sunscreens weren’t in demand during this rainy day, the Order of Malta was on hand to provide first aid to walkers and attendees.
“Rain or shine, we are grateful to serve the Los Angeles community working side by side with our partners and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,” said Vince Farhat.