Prep Talk

Volunteering at the Cathedral Kitchen

Posted January 29th, 2015

In the Gospel our Lord tells us that whatever we do for the least of His people we also do for Him. Most weeks of the school year St. Augustine Prep juniors make the trek to Camden, NJ via school bus. Since 1976 the Cathedral Kitchen has been an oasis of hope in this beleaguered city.

The Cathedral Kitchen was begun by Auxiliary Bishop James L. Schad in the basement of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to provide nourishing hot meals to the poor and homeless of Camden. Daily, the CK serves an average of 325 meals but towards the end of the month the number of guests jumps to over 600. In addition to the food service the Cathedral Kitchen also provides an assortment of legal and job counseling as well as varied medical services.

The Prep juniors, under the supervision of Brother David Graber, M.SS.CC., travel in groups of 9 to 11 students. Upon arrival they prepare bags of food for take-out by each guest and then when the doors open they serve the platters of hot food to each diner. After closing, the students are responsible for cleaning up the entire facility. Many students enjoy their project so much that they ask if they can come back again.

Recently Bro. David and the school were presented a certificate honoring 25 years of volunteer service to the Cathedral Kitchen, the longest serving group of volunteers at the CK.

Learn more about the amazing work being done at the Cathedral Kitchen on their website.