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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A House Filled With Charity And Hope Poor Man’s Meal Feeds Hundreds To Raise Money For Homeless

Larry Browne swigs a bottle of cheap wine, sleeps in the weeds and eats his meals at the House of Charity.

On Sunday, the homeless man moonlighted as an occasional doorman at the 11th annual Poor Man’s Meal benefit.

Despite the early afternoon rain, Browne stood outside the charity at 9 W. Main and opened the door for some of the hundreds of people spending $10 or more to house the homeless this winter.

“Homeless people can go upstairs with the funds they get,” said Browne, who wore golf tees woven into his baseball cap.

Last year, the benefit raised $30,000, enough to house an average of 49 men through the winter. Before Sunday’s meal even started, this year’s fund-raiser had bankrolled at least $25,000.

Bishop William Skylstad of the Spokane Catholic Diocese and Spokane Mayor Jack Geraghty stood on a small stairway near the lobby and thanked about 250 contributors for coming.

Geraghty said the community must be relentless in finding housing for people who have none, and are losing hope.

“We must also be relentless in our mercy,” he said.

Those in attendance recited a blessing for the meal and sang “Whatsoever You Do” to the pumpings of an accordion player.

“Bon appetit,” Skylstad told the crowd.

This year’s menu featured rolls and Steptoe Butte Lentil Soup, a concoction of sausage, ham, vegetables and, of course, lentils. Cake was served to honor the 20th anniversary of the House of Charity’s medical clinic, which treats more than 200 homeless people every month.

Cally DeWitt cooked the 15 gallons of soup. She cooks all the charity’s meals, unless she’s on vacation.

“It’s important because these people need somebody to take care of them,” said DeWitt, directing traffic in her crowded kitchen. “They need somebody to cook for them. They’re not going to do it themselves.”

Some of those attending the benefit dressed in their Sunday finest; others wore blue jeans. Small children wove their way through a forest of adult legs, hunting for punch and cake. The tables looked like fall, draped in green tablecloths and decorated with centerpieces of leaves, apples and gourds.

Al Malsom strolled around the tables, playing old favorites and anything but rock ‘n’ roll on his accordion. He’s played for 50 years, and he was tired Sunday after two earlier weekend performances. But that didn’t stop him from showing up.

“I can’t say no to these people when they ask me,” Malsom said.

He played over the shoulder of diner George Murphy, who proclaimed his meal good, solid and stable. Murphy, 45, attended the Poor Man’s Meal with his sister and parents. He wanted “to get some idea how the other side lives.”

Browne, meanwhile, was holding the door for two women tying scarves over their head to protect their hair from the rain.

He’s never slept inside the charity center, he said, because it’s too much of a hassle. So he sleeps outside, and slips inside for the food.

“It’s a balanced diet,” Browne said. “Half the time, I got a hangover and I can’t eat. But it’s really good. It’s nourishing.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo