NEW YORK — An commemorative booklet and a benefit concert will mark the 80th anniversary of the country’s longest-running breadline at St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street.
The second annual Viva Francesco Benefit Concert for the Breadline is set for 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 in San Damiano Hall at 127 West 31st Street. The event will feature music from the movies and will be performed by the St. Francis Choir and Instrumentalists under the direction of Meredith Augustin. Tickets can be purchased at St. Francis House, 135 West 31st Street; cost is $30 for the concert and $50 for the concert and a dessert reception.
Last year’s concert raised $30,000 for the historic ministry. Information about both St. Francis Breadline events can be found on the website of St. Francis of Assisi Church.
A booklet about the early years of the historic ministry has been produced by St. Francis of Assisi Church, using text from a 1945 issue of The Provincial Annals. It will be available later this month, said Timothy Shreenan, OFM, director of liturgy and communications at St. Francis.
St. Francis Breadline began operation in September 1930, a year after the stock market crash. It currently feeds roughly 400 people a day, according to Michael Carnevale, OFM, director of the ministry.
Editor’s note: An article about the breadline appeared in the summer 2009 issue of The Anthonan. A video about the breadline appears on the St. Francis of Assisi Church website.