John Tumino

It’s a cold November afternoon and we are getting ready to hit the streets of CNY with Love, food, and Medical Care! The planning all starts the night before when we contemplate what the menu will be for our friends. The lunch item that comes to our mind is shepard pie, what is shepard pie?

The original shepherd’s pies were baked in pastry crusts and used leftover roast meat combined with a savory gravy to bring it all together. When the dish made its way from Scotland to Ireland, they skipped the pastry and used their abundance of potatoes instead, creating the modern-day mashed potato topping. Many of our friends on the streets consider us their Pastors and what better lunch to show them we care is by bringing them dignity through this wonderful meal. As JD was assisting our friend Leland he expressed an issue he was having with his foot. The meal opens a door to a conversation that turns into a referral to Dr. Lehmann and Housecalls to the Homeless. The collaboration between our two wonderful organizations is immeasurable.

Our dear friend makes it onto the medical van where Doc and His Student do their specialty, they bring value and compassion through medical relief. Leland’s nails were in bad shape and Doc was able to bring relief by trimming them down and setting up an appointment for a true foot soaking with follow-up treatment. Just think it starts with an idea for a meal that leads to conversation and then turns into medical care! This can happen only because of your continued generosity through your faithful partnership and monthly contributions.  As we approach the year-end please prayerfully consider making a donation to continue this wonderful outreach. 

Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives 

When we receive messages from community partners regarding the work that we are doing at IMFK it brings joy and pride to our hearts. It’s not only that they are acknowledging the work we do it is more about the community partners saying they SEE our FRIENDS! Here is a message that was sent out on X platform from NYSDOT Central NY

Thanks to our community partners! Recently, necessary repairs were needed on the Bear Street bridge but before that could happen NYSDOT Onondaga West Residency crews partnered with a local not-for-profit In My Father’s Kitchen & Syracuse DPW to clean up garbage & debris from underneath the bridge.

The Hire Ground Program in partnership with Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse is so important. It is so vital to the work we do serving those who feel Invisible, it’s a Hand-up, not a Hand-Out. 

As we move into the end of the year and the Holiday season please consider making a year-end donation or maybe becoming a recurring monthly partner! 
Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives!

Who would have known that today’s lunch would have opened a door to a serious conversation regarding alcohol addiction? A dear friend we were serving today broke down as he started to share with us that he is so tired of the life he is living. He said it feels like the movie “Groundhog Day” every day the same thing over and over again. Our dear friend broke down in tears and said I don’t even have the balls enough to kill myself, I’m just suffering. We listened and encouraged him by letting him know that we were here for him and if he was interested in long-term rehab that we would assist him in getting there. He said yes, so now we will reach out to agencies that can assist us in serving our friend into a victorious transformation. The journey is just beginning and we will be there as much as our friend allows us to be. With your continued support we are the bridge out from under the bridge. Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives!

Please consider becoming a monthly giver to IMFK

As we are approaching the winter we are strongly encouraging our friends living outdoors to make some serious choices about coming indoors. Pictured here is the inside of a dwelling place of two of our friends. Homelessness for these two friends was caused by a serious drug addiction which escalated into a breakdown in the family system that caused them to lose their housing. During the summer months they call it camping out but on a cold autumn night, moving towards fridged winter temperatures it’s called survival. Believe with us that our two friends make the positive choice of doing the things needed to start the housing process. All we can do is keep showing up with no judgment and loving our friends in the middle of their brokenness. We believe because of this approach our friends will turn to us when their surrender moment happens. It’s heartbreaking to see and to hear the excuses for not changing but we use love as the tool that can break down every obstacle. Thank you for your support 

Moving Towards Winter

Today was the Day for Dan to get his dentures! Big Shout out to Dr. David Lehmann and Housecalls for the Homeless – Upstate (H4H) for making this dream a reality!
In 2018 Doc started his collaboration with IMFK and that’s when Dan and Doc met.
IMFK met Dan in 2015 and assisted him in navigating into housing in 2019. Over the last 5 years, H4H has been instrumental in bringing a higher level of care to Dan through the medical services Doc provides.
We remember the day Dan asked for assistance with his teeth, Doc immediately said “Let’s get you to the DENTIST”! The appointment was made to Dr. Romano at Summit Dental and the rest is now History! Thank you Doc and H4H for financially investing in Dan, look at that million-dollar smile. Dan,
YOU ARE NOT INVISIBLE