On October 29, 2011, the soup kitchen at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Evansville, Indiana, that was founded by Sister Joanna twenty years ago was named “Sister Joanna’s Table” in her honor.

Sister Joanna founded the soup kitchen to feed the hungry in Evansville.  Before the soup kitchen, she helped with a Christmas meal for the homeless and food deprived, but she noticed how starving those people really were and wanted to do more. 

For one year Sister Joanna prayed to find an answer to how to feed those in need.  She also studied the works of Dorothy Day, who started Catholic Worker Houses in New York, where food, clothing, shelter and hospitality is extended by volunteers to those in need.  During this time, Sister Joanna approached pastors in the Evansville downtown area in search of someone interested in hosting the soup kitchen.  Only one church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, responded. 

The new soup kitchen was opened every Saturday and staffed by volunteers of multiple faiths.  For the opening day meal, only ten people came.  That has now grown to over 200 people seeking nourishment each week.

St. Paul’s Church has since expanded the soup kitchen.  There is now a clothing room and food pantry.  A chapel has been built that is connected to the soup kitchen to provide for spiritual nourishment as well.

Sister Joanna said that growing up she had always wanted to be a sister and after joining the Sisters of St. Benedict always had a yearning to help the poorest of the poor.  The many people that have found a hot meal and a welcoming atmosphere at Sister Joanna’s Table have benefited from her following her dreams.

The House of Bread and Peace, a homeless shelter for women and children in Evansville, was also founded by Sister Joanna.  For a story on the House of Bread and Peace, go to http://www.thedome.org/about/publications-and-news/news/thank-you-sister-joanna-for-saving-my-life.

By:  Laura Reckelhoff