NYU Hockey Serves Warm Meals to Those in Need

at Saint Francis Xavier Church Soup Kitchen

By Hunter Estevez

NYU Hockey players put aside their skates to volunteer at the Saint Francis Xavier Church Soup Kitchen on Sunday, September 16th and Sunday, September 23rd. Located in Chelsea, the soup kitchen serves warm meals to those in New York City in need of one, as well as create a safe and positive atmosphere for people to socialize.

Every Sunday, a day when most other feeding programs in New York City are closed, the Soup Kitchen at St. Francis Xavier Church in Chelsea is open. This Soup Kitchen is an extension of their community outreach program. They serve over 1,000 hot meals provided by St. Francis Food Pantries each Sunday afternoon to the poor. To learn more about the Xavier Mission please visit www.xaviermission.org.

Decked out in hats and aprons, NYU Hockey served hot meals, passed out extras such as water, coffee, and bread, and assisted in cleaning after a successful afternoon. The team values helping those less fortunate and meeting those who attended the soup kitchen in person was a rewarding experience.

NYU Hockey Head Coach Christopher Cosentino explained why volunteering is an important part of the program, emphasizing; “We don't get involved in charity work for the recognition. It's so important to expose our students to life outside their daily environment and introduce them to incredible work done by the organizations we support. Our students get the opportunity to understand the important life lesson of empathy.”