While some sipped hot chocolate, others combed through a pile of second-hand sweaters, pants and scarves, searching for something warm for the winter. Many carried stuffed backpacks, a common sign of homelessness. COURTESY PHOTO
Posted Nov. 30, 2015 at 1:48 PM
Updated Dec 5, 2015 at 10:02 PM
NEW BEDFORD MA — A line of 200 people, gathered at the Salvation Army parking lot, shivering in the brisk, cold air one Saturday morning, as the aroma of macaroni and cheese, Shepherd’s pie and “Super Duper” vegetable soup, and chocolate cake, greeted them.
While some sipped hot chocolate, others combed through a pile of second-hand sweaters, pants and scarves, searching for something warm for the winter. Many carried stuffed backpacks, a common sign of homelessness. Others looked for a warm hot meal to help make ends meet until they got back on their feet.
It was the typical Saturday for members of Praise and Worship (PAW) Ministries, a faith-based group that began four years ago by performing music, dance and poetry at the Taunton MA Detention Center.
Since June, the volunteers have been making homemade hot meals and feeding the city’s needy on Saturdays at 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army in partnership with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, an organization of area churches that delivers meals in a truck throughout the city.
It started when the ministry, founded by Augusto “Gus” Barboza, a local entrepreneur who has organized several charities in the city, was asked last summer to help feed hundreds of homeless and poor living along the train tracks in the North End. The ministry helped feed many of the people living in the makeshift tent camp behind Save-A-Lot off Nauset Avenue.
“The original plan was to give out sandwich bags. Instead we showed up with hot meals,” said Barboza.
With plenty of leftovers to spare, the volunteers went to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where Mobile Loaves and Fishes volunteers were packing the truck with food.
“Rather than just give them the food, we tagged along,” said Barboza. “From that day on, we’ve been hooked. It’s more meaningful to me than anything I’ve ever done in my life.”
“It’s very humbling and makes me smile,” said Beatrice Bruce of New Bedford, who began volunteering last weekend in memory of her late mother. “Normally, I would be lounging around and not doing much of anything on a Saturday.”
“It’s about giving back,” said Vinny Onorato of Westport, who volunteers with the ministry.
PAW Ministries also distributes pounds of clothing, collected from different churches.
“There are plenty of people who collect, but no one distributes,” said Barboza. “We need winter coats, hats, gloves and underwear.”
“These people aren’t out there by choice,” Barboza added. “They do want to work and a place to stay. They just need an opportunity. No one chooses that way of life.”
