Soup For Change Event
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Join us for a free lunch and conversation on Tuesday, December 19, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., in the Peoples Gas Holiday Market™, in Market Square. Soup for Change provides Pittsburghers with an opportunity to begin a dialogue about homelessness and poverty in our region. Hosted by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, up to 80 participants will be served a free soup lunch, provided by Market Square’s Diamond Market. Each participant will be paired with a stranger and will be encouraged to discuss homelessness and poverty issues in our area.
“As we have been preparing for Christmas, we know this is also a difficult time of year for many people and want to provide an opportunity to connect with our neighbors and discuss how we can collectively support those in need,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “Giving Pittsburghers the opportunity to have thoughtful dialogue, is an important first step in encouraging people to take action and to change how we interact with our neighbors in need. This event seems particularly meaningful during the Holiday Season.”
“Asking for Change, More than Coins” is a campaign that began in October to change attitudes towards our less fortunate neighbors and support those in need. We can do more and Asking for Change provides opportunities for Pittsburghers to create change. The campaign is a collaboration of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Downtown Pittsburgh Ministerium to raise awareness in our community and support important work helping people in need.
The Downtown Ministerium is a collaboration of all Downtown churches and chaplaincies that provides daily services, from emergency food, crisis counseling, transportation assistance, and referrals to area social service providers. Additional services provided by individual Ministerium members include access to food pantry services, community meals, and services for specific vulnerable populations.
Information about the Asking for Change Campaign is available in Downtown retailers, in on-street advertisements, and in the lobbies of several of Downtown’s largest office buildings. The campaign encourages people to text to give to the Downtown Ministerium’s outreach work by simply texting “Give” to 412-274-7146. In addition to providing financial support, the campaign’s goal is to spark conversations, encourage respect for others, and suggest ways we can treat our neighbors more compassionately.
When the campaign was kicked off in October, a Soup For Change event was held in Strawberry Way. More than 80 strangers came together for a moving and meaningful lunch. Each of the participants ended the experience by sharing how they could make change. Photographs from that event may be viewed here.
The campaign was developed by Shift Collaborative. In addition to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, many other organizations came together to develop the overall message, including representatives from the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Human Services, Operation Safety Net, and North Side Common Ministries.
For more information about Asking for Change, More than Coins, please visit morethancoins.org.
About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, foundations and residents who provide energy, vision and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Working collaboratively with its partners, the PDP strives to create a positive Downtown experience for residents, workers and visitors alike. The PDP’s strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, and economic development and advocacy. For more information, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/downtownpitt and “like” us on Facebook.
About the Downtown Pittsburgh Ministerium The Downtown Pittsburgh Ministerium, Inc., exists to provide a united Christian witness in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh and to reach out in love to the homeless, the poor, and others in need. Its membership comprises the clergy of the churches, ministries, and non-profit social service organizations which are located in the Downtown community and adjacent neighborhoods.
