The Poor People's Dinner originated on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and founded by Father Jerard Pantin. Each year businesses and community residents there would gather for a "poor people's supper" to raise money to help feed Trinidad's poorest residents. Mr. Joseph Madory first brought this concept to Staten Island in 1998. His vision was to bring people from all faiths and all walks of life on Staten Island together to raise awareness about the plight of the poor.
The annual meal consists of soup, bread, and water, which is symbolic of a typical "poor person's" meal. The Poor People's Dinner on Staten island usually takes place the Monday of Thanksgiving week.
To begin the evening, senior, Sofia Melendez, sang God Bless America. Our girls also rounded out the evening by singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" with the Staten Island Philharmonic.
Proceeds from the Poor People's Dinner on Staten Island support the emergency food, clothing, and shelter programs of Project Hospitality.
Excerpts from the Poor People's Dinner Program