A place at the table

Alumna assists in planning an event where those with means and those without, dined finely, side-by-side.

Judy Hall '69 is a longtime member of the historic St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, located in the heart of New York City. Since joining in 1996, she has dedicated her life to helping others.

Hall oversees St. Bart's annual Christmas Miracles Program, which this year bought hats, gloves and ear warmers for 200 people who regularly eat in the church's soup kitchen and provided Christmas gifts to 65 teenagers at a treatment center. Hall also serves on the board of Crossroads Community Services, the 501(c)(3) organization established three years ago to help care for hundreds of homeless people who are assisted by St. Bart's.

So Hall's involvement in the planning and execution of a Crossroads-sponsored event at St. Bart's on Nov. 29, where people paid $100 to share a candlelit, multi-course holiday dinner with the homeless, was a natural continuation of her deep desire to extend a hand to those in need.

The event, Fare Share Friday, was Crossroads' first fundraiser, Hall said. It involved more than 200 volunteers, including the executive chef from The Waldorf Astoria New York hotel, the banquet manager from The New York Palace hotel and 15 culinary arts students.

Nearly 500 people attended the event's two sittings, dining on sumptuous items that included smoked salmon, roasted turkey, buttered mashed potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake.

"We set out with the goal of raising $50,000," Hall said. "We raised $85,000."

The Crossroads board chose to hold the event on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving, "because on Thanksgiving Day, the homeless have a plethora of places to get a meal," Hall said. "It's the day after that they get no food."
 
Hall served as a table host, ensuring that guests enjoyed their dining experience. Her table guests included one couple, left homeless after being evicted from their apartment, and "Magic," a homeless man who appeared to be in his 50s.

Hall said Magic asked her why there were so many forks, knives and spoons at each place setting. She explained the purpose of each eating utensil and directed him through each course. Afterward, Hall gave Magic a small box of desserts to take with him.

"This was incredible," Hall said Magic told her.

The event attracted a good bit of media attention. An Associated Press story about the event was picked up by more than 370 media outlets, including New York Daily News, CBS News and Fox News.

"We had no idea it would take off like this," said Hall, who serves on the Roanoke College Board of Trustees. "It was just an unbelievable event."

To read a full story about Fare Share Friday, click here.


Published on Dec. 16, 2014