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 St. Mary Parish is an active participant in Interfaith Action of Evanston, an organization that sponsors soup kitchens, a hospitality center with job counseling, and winter warming centers. Our participation includes both a financial commitment and an active participation that provides a soup kitchen team and the site and staff for a warming center.
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Interfaith Action of Evanston is a non-profit organization of faithbased people whose purpose is to bring together communities of faith and spirit to serve people who are hungry and homeless and to express our shared values through action and interfaith dialogue.
Interfaith Action of Evanston is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of people in the community. Contributions may be mailed to our office and would be much appreciated. To read more about it, look at www.interfaithactionofevanston.org or contact parishioner and board of directors’ officer Diane Currano at dcurrano@comcast.net.
Participants in the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service held at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation share the light of their candles while singing “Marching in the Light of God."
 In 2006, the Christian leadership of the Evanston Ecumenical Action Council voted overwhelmingly to broaden its base by transforming into Interfaith Action of Evanston. This allowed people from many different faiths who were already supportive and serving in programs to assume leadership roles. Thus began a new venture that seeks to promote religious dialogue while the members work together to promote much needed direct services to the hungry and homeless people in our community.
We are people who not only volunteer together, but also pray together. This is demonstrated by the attendance at our Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service. We look for ways to strengthen the natural bond between spiritually committed people. We welcome all who want to learn and serve.
Open five mornings per week, 52 weeks per year, the hospitality center provides a warm, nurturing environment for daytime use by the guests from Hilda’s Place and Entry Point, the programs run by Connections for the Homeless. The center, which operates from rooms graciously provided by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Avenue, is open from 7 to 11 am.
Guests may use the services of a job coordinator or case manager, or they may make use of the facilities for grooming or making phone calls regarding jobs or apartments.
Administrative Director Susan Murphy
 Interfaith Action is part of a network of soup kitchens that provides meals seven days a week, year round. Over 100 teams of religious groups, service clubs, businesses, students, and families commit to dates throughout the year. Four locations are organized with open calendars in which teams of people can commit to planning, preparing, and serving meals.
Posted below are the IA locations and times. If your group, faith organization, or family wants to learn how to help provide meals, contact the Interfaith Action office at 847-475-1150 or ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org.
St Paul Lutheran Church
Sunday lunch at 3 pm
1004 Greenwood Street
Second Baptist Church
Monday lunch at 12 Noon
1717 Benson Avenue
First United Methodist Church
Thursday dinner at 6 pm
516 Church Street
First Congregational Church
Friday sack lunch at 12 Noon
1417 Hinman Avenue
During November through April, Interfaith Action sponsors warming centers that provide a warm, safe place for guests to enjoy conversation, light snacks, or a restful nap.
In addition, Interfaith Action, in partnership with Connections for the Homeless and the City of Evanston, offers a special over-night shelter for nights when the temperature hovers around 0°. The room is donated by St. Paul Lutheran Church at 1004 Greenwood. This facility is supervised by staff from IA and Connections. Volunteers are always welcome to assist the staff members.
The faith communities that open their doors to the daytime warming centers are:
St Paul Lutheran Church
1004 Greenwood Street
Monday from 1 to 3:30 pm
First Presbyterian Church
1427 Chicago Avenue
Monday from 3:30 to 7 pm
Bethany Baptist Church
1225 Elmwood Avenue
Tuesday from 1 to 5 pm
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
1012 Lake Street
Wednesday from 1 to 4 pm
First Congregational Church
1417 Hinman Avenue
Thursday from 1 to 5 pm
Sojourner Covenant Church
1101 Church Street
Friday from 1 to 5 pm
Interfaith Action of Evanston
P.O. Box 1414
Evanston IL 60204
Phone: 847-475-1150
Fax: 847-475-2565
E-mail: ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org
Web: www.interfaithactionofevanston.org
Contact parishioner and Board of Directors’ Officer:
Diane Currano at dcurrano@comcast.net
Feel free to call with questions or concerns!
Parish Office
847-864-0333
fax: 847-864-0354
stmary1012@stmaryparish-evanston.org
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Interfaith Action of Evanston