During the recent holidays, you might have seen a sight that usually strikes many as peculiar. Homeless and wealthy sitting together, eating the same meal together, socializing together. In New York’s, St. Bartholomew’s Church, you could see well-off Manhattan diners who had paid $100 for their ticket to eat a candle-lit holiday dinner in the church. But, you could also see the homeless people that are prevalent on the streets of New York eating with the well to-do diners, all at one table! Prominent diners included law firm partners, investment professionals, executives, teachers, social workers, writers, artists, musicians and retirees. And less fortunate people included a man named James who had been homeless for a while, after he had lost his job as a security officer; he now volunteers at St. Bathtolomew Church.

Rev. Edward Sutherland claims that the dinner was a “smashing success” and hopes this new and inventive dinner will eventually become a worldwide trend, then becoming an annual tradition. This event symbolized the closing of the riff between the social classes established in modern society. It broke away from the common stereotype that well off citizens and the homeless members of society can and never will be able to coexist in the same world in society. “I think this is beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Breaking down social norms.” said Kelly Fagan (11).

Rev. Sutherland also claimed that “once the food was passed around we were all equal.” All the diners in the church all came together and put aside their differences. This dinner really exemplified the true holiday spirit; a time to come together and love your neighbors, despite the differences each party has. The holidays provide a wonderful incentive to really get people together and to appreciate all that everyone has, embodying the holiday spirit within everyone, rich or poor.

This dinner gave everyone, especially the homeless people, a warm and “normal” dinner. One of the homeless people said “Tonight, I’m not homeless.” This was especially encouraging to the hosts of the holiday dinner. A chance to give the less fortunate a night where they could not “feel homeless” and feel “normal”. “I hope this is going to become a regular thing and becomes prevalent in today’s society.” Lillian Nasr (11).

At this dinner, a momentous feat was overcome. Two classes collided and two unlikely worlds intersected.  Now Mustangs, we could also contribute to the less fortunate of today’s society. There are many opportunities for you to help and give back to society. Organizations like Red Cross, animal shelters, and Breast Cancer foundations are just a few organizations that are readily available to students at YLHS. Now Mustangs, lets give back and help shape the world into a better place.