Comfort Food, Comfortable Shelter in Branford

The winter wind howls outside, but it's warm and dry inside Abraham's Tent at St. Mary's. The Branford Catholic church recently welcomed New Haven homeless men to a place with comfort food, comfortable shelter, and companionship.

In partnership with New Haven's Columbus House, from Jan. 10 through 20, St. Mary's two year-old parish hall became this area's first satellite location for a special overflow placement program matching 12 qualified applicants with off-site shelter support.

"We're the first church to be doing this over the [Quinnipiac] Bridge," said Joan Pirtel, St. Mary's Abraham's Tent chairperson. "It's been so exciting and rewarding. We're hoping this will open the door to get more parishes to open their doors."

As the night's temperature hovered at 17 degrees on Jan. 13, volunteers bustled to the buffet line, bearing hot, home-cooked dishes. Hearty stuffed meatloaf, mashed potatoes, kale-and-kielbasa soup, and chicken noodle soup (both served in rustic bowls of rounded loves) were among dinner dishes prepared.

"I'm dying to try the soup-and the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The food is excellent," said Abraham's Tent beneficiary Mike Lester.

Lester and 11 others arrived via Columbus House bus nightly for dinner and socializing, then to sleep in cots and eat breakfast and lunch the next day. Then, it was back to Columbus House to shower before beginning the day on their own.

"I think Abraham's Tent is a great program, especially for people who don't want to stay in shelters and want to make a life for themselves," said program recipient Michael Cutler.

Abraham's Tent carefully screens for applicants who'll appreciate its benefits and follow the rules. For St. Mary's, months of preparation, including Columbus House workshops, were required. Columbus House Facilities and Real Estate Development Director Chris Peterson stopped in to visit St. Mary's last week and was duly impressed.

"It's fabulous," Peterson said of the parish hall and volunteer effort. "I live in Branford and it's sometimes hard for people to recognize that we need help, and these people need help."

Pirtel's committee includes Janyce Gilman and Alice Hines as key volunteers. The entire program couldn't have happened without the support of church pastor Father Christopher Ford and so many others, Pirtel added.

"Over 100 volunteers have contributed to this effort," she said.

Parish members chipped in to cover the week's shifts and supply and cook meals. Sixteen year-old Anthony Maiorino was among the younger volunteers.

"I've been helping serving food and doing other things," said Maiorino, pulling up a chair to join his grandmother, volunteer Noreen Carrano, visit with guests during dinner.

On Jan. 11, BHS Music Makers, girls in black gowns and guys in tuxedoes, sang for the men.

"The men were really impressed-they came in formal dress just for them. It gives the men a sense of dignity. The entire experience has been beyond our expectations…It's also very humbling. It makes you really appreciate what they are going through," said Pirtel.