At Crossroads, people make the difference—from dedicated staff and volunteers to the guests whose
resilience inspires us every day. Here is a story of impact from someone who experiences our work
firsthand.
Susan Greco– A Helpful Hand in Clyde’s Kitchen
I’m a feeder, I’ll admit, so it wasn’t surprising that I was drawn to St. Luke’s soup kitchen back in those early days in the ‘70s when Clyde Corbin prepared enormous pots of hearty soup and thick slices of crunchy buttered toast. I loved the anticipation of the Parish Hall side door opening and getting to greet the
(mostly) men who patiently lined up under the covered walkway. Ladling gorgeous soup into bowls sure felt good, and to be counted on in this way was significant for me, then a young 12-year-old who took for granted the privilege of enjoying Sunday morning breakfasts and pancake suppers alongside other St. Luke’s parishioners. In this simple but mighty kitchen (aka Clyde’s Kitchen), beyond the dozens of steaming bowls of soup we were serving, it was love we were ladling.
Fast forward 50 years to early 2024 when I was considering some meaningful changes I could make. I
had toured Crossroads Ministries at a St. Luke’s breakfast months earlier and was struck by the
transformative resources they offered Atlanta’s homeless–well beyond just a hot meal. For me,
volunteering in Clyde’s Kitchen checked all the boxes: getting to feed people, interact with guests in
the dining room, and be part of a helping community. Being able to lend a hand and bring comfort to
people who find themselves stuck in the face of extraordinary difficulties has brought me comfort
too. It’s not just a warm plate of food we deliver; it’s far more. I think it’s a portal with the power to
illuminate the next right step. It’s the combination of case managers, kitchen helpers, mailroom
workers, and others who donate clothing, toiletries and time, that collectively reminds guests of their
own strength and resilience, that they have value and are loved, that there is a viable and hopeful
path ahead, and that people genuinely do care.
It’s been over a year now and no two days are alike. Some are so busy you find yourself simply
moving quickly to plate the food and serve it. Others feel more intentional, and you can take the time
to notice more and check in with the guests and the others helping. The guests are inspiring but so
are the volunteers. It’s as if little elves come in early when I arrive to find dozens of sack lunches
prepared and chilling in the cooler.
I’ve been surprised and heartened by the number of people we serve who’ve asked me how they too
can work at Crossroads. It’s wonderfully clear that our guests can envision themselves back on their
feet. They’re so moved by what we do for them, that they’re eager to waste no time in paying it
forward. I recall one young woman we’d served several times over the weeks remarking how much
she appreciated us. She told us, “Just you wait, I’m going to surprise you all with something nice.”
Sure enough, the next week she appeared beaming and bearing a half dozen gift bags, each with a
bottle of wine, a festive plastic glass etched with an uplifting message, a face mask, and some other
goodies she’d thoughtfully gathered and included. As if we were all embarking on a girls’ night out,
she proudly handed us each a colorful bag she’d personally customized. I was as stunned as we all
were, and as we each went to hug her, in that moment you could feel a world-changing goodness at work.
Every day there are more stories of hope. One day a uniformed police officer sat down alongside a guest and handed me their two meal tickets. He’d found this gentleman sleeping on the sidewalk and approached him and took him to Crossroads. They came in together that morning and several mornings after that to share a meal and begin to help get him back on his feet. This kind officer opened the door for this stranger because he saw a need and knew he could help. That’s it, pure and simple. Like those little collection saucers at a store, inviting you to take a penny or leave a penny. I remember my early days at Crossroads. After a brief orientation I was encouraged to speak with the guests. Over these nearly 18 months, I’ve found the more I initiate conversations, the better I feel, and I think it’s the same for our guests, too. Who knows what
kind of night they’ve had, yet many thank me for being nice, and I thank them right back. Some want to nap after they sit down. Others want a hot cup of coffee and to nibble on a pastry before the meal comes. Receiving a hot cup of coffee can feel like a small blessing or maybe it’s a cup of God’s grace? Each time I pour a guest a coffee and swirl in cream and sugar, I feel lucky to get to deliver this warmth and magical heartwarming reset.
Some guests want to tell me about their plans. One morning after I’d folded the many bags of clothing I routinely collect and bring in, I saw a woman standing beside the clothing shelf holding up several ladies’ garments trying to decide on her favorites. I mentioned that the soft knit peach colored poncho she held up to her body looked nice on her, and she agreed and decided this would be the piece she’d wear on Thanksgiving, and so I brought her a bag to protect it and carry it away in. Another time I began talking to a gentleman who told me he was leaving his shelter soon because he’d gotten a job driving a truck across the country. He told me he has two children in different states. He told me the shelter gave him security and there was so much unknown ahead. We talked about life and the chances it brings. We both agreed how change can be scary but it’s how you grow, and I applauded his initiative and grit.
Our guests want to help and sometimes help point out who still needs a plate. Sometimes I can’t tell because some eat their meal so quickly and clean up their plates. They bring their dishes to the wash bin and compost and trash to those bins and point out occasional spills on the floor that need mopping often offering to clean it themselves. I recall the woman who spent much of her morning in the dining room writing in a small spiral notebook, and it seemed she was recording affirmations, one after another. I remarked she had beautiful handwriting, and she thanked me and then held up a round tin, like something you’d store brownies in. She said, “Open it, ” and so I did, and there were dozens of scrunched up pieces
of paper inside. She said, “Pick one,” and so I did. As I unfolded it, I saw these words, “Do one thing that scares you Everyday. ” My car had been failing and that very day I was faced with having to buy another, a daunting task I’d been dreading, but of course I appreciated my good fortune and that I even had such a chance. I laughed and told her I wanted to pick another because today I didn’t think I had it in me to take that advice. She assured me I did and insisted I keep it in a motherly “You get what you get and don’t throw a fit” sort of way. Later that day I did trade cars and through it all, I thought of my sweet Crossroads coach cheering me on.
Each week, corporate partners including Mercedes Benz, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Fresh Market donate meats, produce, dairy, pastries and other staples, which volunteers collect and deliver. Occasionally we have extra and can offer guests a second helping, pint of berries or box of luscious pastries to nibble on. I remember the man who once asked me if there was any pie, and I stepped in the walk-in and found a gorgeous rustic apple pie which I set before him. Incredulous it appeared at all, and so quickly, he dove in with gusto, piercing the flaky pastry with his fork and eating to hi heart’s content. He fell asleep, head bowed, fork still in hand, and minutes later woke up, delighted all over again to find the pie still before him, only to resume eating and napping with abandon.
These are but just a few stories that have inspired me from my days here, but as I return each week, I’m certain there will be scores more.
-Susan Woody Greco