To help build connections between members of our community who share our values, and to thank all of our supporters, DESK hosted our first-ever Supporter Appreciation Family Day at the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven. Almost 80 members of DESK’s community, from donors to recurring volunteers, came together for a scenic ride on a historic trolley, a lunch generously donated by Aramark, and lawn games – not to mention the great company! The beautiful weather helped us reflect on our work over the past year and create connections across volunteers, donors, interns, and staff across the organization. We were especially proud to invite the whole family to engage with us and share our mission with our youngest supporters!
DESK is grateful to the Shore Line Trolley Museum, which graciously donated its space and trolley rides, and looks forward to continuing to appreciate our supporters who contribute annually so that we may fulfill our mission of serving people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty!
This year’s Breaking Bread Dinner reached a major milestone in terms of both fundraising and attendance, bringing together 252 guests from across Greater New Haven, including elected officials, business leaders, community partners, residents, volunteers, staff, clients, and Board members. The event celebrated the community-based organization’s recent accomplishments while remembering supporters and partners lost in recent years to the overdose crisis. The funds raised by the overlapping New Haven and Yale communities remain vital in the face of federal cuts to social services and public health programs that have worsened the ongoing housing crisis, widespread food insecurity, and the ongoing opioid epidemic, as emphasized throughout the evening.
For almost 40 years, DESK has partnered with Yale Hospitality to supply food for its dinner program year-round and to support the annual Thanksgiving for All program. The ongoing partnership has been cited for decades by both organizations as the exemplar for reliable, compassionate, and productive “town-gown” relationships.
In 2017, Yale Hospitality began hosting the Breaking Bread Dinner; over the last nine years, DESK and Yale Hospitality have worked together closely to expand the event, bringing in new partners, like Yale Schwarzman Center in 2024, and Yale Divinity School in 2025. This year’s record high in funds will comprise about ten percent of DESK’s total annual budget for the current fiscal year.
“Each year this event grows, reaching more supporters in every corner of New Haven and across the university,”said DESK’s Executive Director Steve Werlin, “and this really isn’t possible without our critical partners, including our two dozen sponsors and all the members of our community who come back to this Breaking Bread year after year. This is really what a ‘compassionate community’ looks like.”
Bruce Barber of WNPR and WNHU, the master of ceremonies (and self-appointed “Dean of Fun”) kept the evening light and entertaining along with Sommelier James Todeasa.
Yale Hospitality’s Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Excellence,James Benson created a gourmet, world-class dining experience for guests, as he described from the podium at the evening’s outset. He was joined by Yale Schwarzman CenterExecutive Director Rachel Fine, who emphasized the Center’s role as a place for convening community in New Haven.
Toward the end of the meal, Werlin was joined on stage by members of the Unhoused Activists Community Team (U-ACT), leadership from Cornell Scott Hill Health Center’s Street Medicine Team, and family members of lost loved ones, as they honored Jason Crowell and Keith Petrulis by inducting them into DESK’s McLean Society posthumously. The McLean Society is an honorary group whose members are named by the Board of Directors to highlight individuals who stand out for actions that have furthered DESK’s mission.
Jason Crowell was a member of a Drug and Alcohol Counselor at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, as well as a volunteer with the Sex Workers and Allies Network who was integral in working with DESK staff to develop harm reduction procedures; Jason passed away in 2021. Jason’s sister, Rebecca Greenberg, accepted the honor on Jason’s behalf, and spoke about her brother and his struggles through recovery while supporting others.
Keith Petrulis was a founding member of U-ACT, and a tireless advocate for the rights of unhoused and unsheltered individuals. He himself was actively experiencing unsheltered homelessness at the time of his death in 2023. His work and example helped provide the framework for incorporating people with lived and living experiences and expertise on DESK’s staff and Board of Directors. Alexis Terry (DESK Board member and member of U-ACT) and Bridgett Williamson (Director of the Citizens Project at the Yale Program on Recovery and Community Health) accepted the honor on Keith’s behalf, while speaking lovingly of their friend and colleague, as well as about their own struggles.
Werlin noted that it is especially critical to honor Jason and Keith because “the services they provided and the people they advocated for are under renewed attack..” He went on to describe the ways in which the Trump Administration’s funding cuts and policies have worsened the overlapping housing and opioid crises, while emboldening more hardline and less compassionate approaches compared to the practices that were developed and deployed during the pandemic years and Biden Administration.
“But,” Werlin added, “thanks to you—our donors, sponsors, neighbors, volunteers, board members, and friends—we managed to continue providing services to those in need and respond quickly to the crisis.”
Additionally, DESK’s Executive Director thanked guests, volunteers, clients, and Board members in attendance, highlighting the generosity of Perry Law as the evening’s presenting sponsor.
To commemorate the evening, Board member Natalie Judd and Past Board President Tim Opstrup, both of whom will be cycling off in June, kicked off the night’s giving by donating $2,500 each. Their donations were followed by Frank D’Ostilio ofHoulihan Lawrence Wareck D’Ostilio, who pledged $7,500, John Wareck who pledged $1,000, and Charles McLean, the son of Past Board President Scott McLean, who pledged $2,000. Over the coming hours (and days), additional contributions helped the event exceed its $150,000 goal.
In wrapping up the evening, Werlin made one final pitch by emphasizing that “DESK is a community-based organization, and so our funding is really provided by you all, our community.” To support DESK’s work, donations can be made online at deskct.org/bb26.
Additional photos of the event can be viewed here.
This year’s Breaking Bread Dinner brought together 175 guests from across Greater New Haven, including elected officials, business leaders, community partners, volunteers, staff, clients, and Board members. The event served to celebrate the community-based organization’s recent accomplishments while raising critical funds, the importance of which has been underscored by federal cuts to social services and public health programs that threaten to worsen the housing crisis, widespread food insecurity, and ongoing opioid crisis, as highlighted throughout the evening
For over 30 years, DESK has partnered with Yale Hospitality to provide food for their dinner program year-round and support the annual Thanksgiving for All program. In 2017, Yale Hospitality began hosting the Breaking Bread Dinner; together, they have built up and expanded the event, culminating this year with the most dollars raised to date. Today, proceeds from the fundraiser account for about ten percent of DESK’s total annual budget.
“We are so grateful to Yale Hospitality and Yale’s Divinity School for hosting Breaking Bread this year,” said DESK’s Executive Director Steve Werlin. “It is precisely these sorts of committed, long-term relationships between Yale and community-based organizations that generate real, added value to New Haven and support those who are most in need at the grassroots level.”
This year also marked the first time the event was held at the Old Refectory and highlighted the long-time partnership between Yale’s Divinity School and DESK, who has hosted YDS interns for the past six years. Dean Gregory E. Sterling delivered the welcoming address and led attendees in the ceremonial breaking of the bread. “Community-based organizations like DESK play a critical role in training the next generation of civic and faith leaders,” said Sterling, highlighting the natural connection between the divinity school’s public service component and DESK’s values.
Bruce Barber of WNPR and WNHU, the master of ceremonies, kept the evening light and entertaining. Sommelier James Todeasa and Yale Hospitality’s Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Excellence James Benson described the efforts and considerations that went into creating the dinner experience in great detail.
Additionally, DESK’s Executive Director thanked guests, volunteers, clients, and Board members in attendance and highlighted Center Church on the Green’s support of DESK over the past 38 years. “This past year, DESK left the nest. When we finished the renovations at 266 State Street, we moved out of Center Church’s Parish House altogether, but they continue to honor and support our longstanding partnership.” To commemorate their support, the Ladies Home Missionary Society of Center Church on the Green matched all donations received during the event dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000. The match was met and surpassed before the evening was over.
As social service providers face unprecedented defunding to critical programs at the federal level, DESK is calling upon all members of our community to support grassroots organizations like DESK that are serving our neighbors who are most in need. Those who can support DESK should visit deskct.org/financial-contributions, or sign up to volunteer at deskct.org/volunteer.
# # #
Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) is a New Haven-based nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness and living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity. Since 1987, (DESK) has supported people experiencing homelessness in New Haven by providing meals and other basic needs. Over the last 38 years, we have expanded continually to meet the growing need in New Haven.
In April 2021, DESK opened New Haven’s first low-barrier Downtown Drop-in & Resource Center, where our staff and volunteers connect unhoused people with not only basic needs, but also additional support services — like shelter, housing, medical care, mental health and addiction services, and employment — designed to move them beyond homelessness and poverty.
In 2024, we further expanded by adding peer-supported outreach staff who can literally meet people where they are, physically and emotionally. DESK’s growth in recent years reflects both the overwhelming need in our community, as well as our determination to fulfill our mission by addressing the changing needs of those we serve in creative, progressive, and high-impact ways.
Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) is a New Haven-based nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness and living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity. Since 1987, they have served unhoused individuals just off the New Haven Green. Over the last twenty years, they have expanded their services to meet the changing needs, leading to the opening of their Drop-in & Resource Center in 2021 as a healing-oriented day program for unhoused individuals, offering a variety of basic needs, support services, and harm reduction interventions.
For more than 30 years, DESK has partnered with Yale Hospitality to provide food for their dinner program year-round, as well as support for the Thanksgiving for All program. In 2017, Yale Hospitality began hosting the Breaking Bread Dinner; together, they have built up and expanded the event over the years. Today, proceeds from the fundraiser account for about ten percent of DESK’s total annual budget.
This year’s Breaking Bread Dinner raised about $100,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations.
“We are so grateful to both Yale Hospitality and the Schwarzman Center for hosting Breaking Bread this year,” said Steve Werlin, DESK’s Executive Director. “It is precisely these sorts of committed, long-term relationships between Yale and community-based organizations that generate real, added value to New Haven and support those who are most in need at the grassroots level.”
At the event, DESK’s Board of Directors honored Rafi Taherian, the head of Yale Hospitality and outgoing Associate Vice President, who announced his retirement the day before the dinner. As a former Board member himself, Taherian has supported DESK in a variety of ways for more than 25 years, including delivering meals on Thanksgiving morning each year. “This collaboration is key,” noted Taherian on Friday night, as he was formally inducted into the McLean Society, DESK’s honorary group, named after one of their longest serving volunteers and past Board member, Scott McLean.
This year also marked the first time the event was held at the Yale Schwarzman Center (YSC), having outgrown the capacity of the university dining halls. Maurice Harris, YSC’s Director of Communications, delivered the welcoming address and led attendees in the ceremonial breaking of the bread. “Breaking bread together has been a principal theme for the Schwarzman Center since we opened,” said Harris, highlighting the natural connection between the center’s programs and DESK’s values.
Master of ceremonies, Bruce Barber of WNPR and WNHU, kept the evening light and entertaining, while Sommelier James Todeasa and Yale Hospitality’s Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Excellence James Benson described in great detail the efforts and considerations that went into creating the dinner’s experience.
Special guests included leaders of the Unhoused Activists Community Team (U-ACT), Carl Ferris and Alexis Terry, as well as several members of New Haven’s Board of Alders, including President Tyisha Walker-Myers, and members of Greater New Haven’s delegation to the Connecticut General Assembly. Additionally, DESK’s Executive Director thanked a number of volunteers and Board members in attendance, and highlighted staff member Norm Clement, who saved the lives of three clients in the past year by reversing otherwise-fatal opioid overdoses.
Among the event’s most celebrated sponsors were Yale’s Office of New Haven Affairs, Morgan Stanley, PAC Group, Yale New Haven Health, Avangrid, and DOOR3. Additional sponsors included the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Connecticut Health Foundation, the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, Wiggin & Dana, Tzedakah House, STV, Inc., Svigals + Partners, Lazeez Indian Cuisine, Skurnik Wines & Spirits, Smith Party Rental, Fitzgerald’s Florist, Two Roads Brewing, New England Brewing Company, Waypoint Spirits, Athletic Brewing Company, North Coast Seafood, Baldo Speciality Foods, and US Foods. Dignity Music performed during the cocktail hour, and photography was provided by Melanie Stengel Photography, both of whom donated their services.
This year’s Breaking Bread Dinner comes at a time of nearly unprecedented need, with both homelessness and food insecurity at levels that have not been seen in Connecticut since the aftermath of the Great Recession, and annual rates of fatal opioid overdoses—overrepresented among unhoused people—continuing to climb. Werlin remarked that “as pandemic-era federal funding streams have dried up, the need for this kind of private support is critical to ensuring lifesaving services, like those provided by DESK, can continue and expand.”
“The renovations to our Drop-in & Resource Center at 266 State Street,” he continued, “will mark an important step forward in providing a front-door to services for unhoused individuals.” Scheduled for completion this summer, the renewed space will include a full medical clinic staffed by Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, as well as offices for additional partners providing a range of frontline services. More information about this project can be found at deskct.org/capital. Those looking to support DESK should visit deskct.org/financial-contributions , or sign up to volunteer at deskct.org/volunteer.
Last week, Greater New Haven showed their love for DESK during the Great Give by raising over $60,000 in support of our mission and those it serves!
The Great Give is a 36-hour, community-wide event run by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. More than 500 nonprofits participated, raising almost $3.5 million in total. During the campaign, 257 of DESK’s donors raised the third highest amount of any organization, a clear sign of the broad appeal of the work we do.
The campaign included matches sponsored by some of our most steadfast supporters, including the Crews-McKenzie Fund (who sponsored a $10,000 match for the third year in a row!), William W. Kelly ($5,000), A-1 Toyota ($2,500), the Mfund ($2,000), and Choate Rosemary School ($2,000).
The campaign ended with a Happy Hour at Trinity Bar & Restaurant, where a few dozen of our supporters gathered to raise a glass (some which were Star Wars-themed in honor of the date, May the Fourth) and spread some good cheer in honor of the incredible work our staff and volunteers have accomplished in the past year.
As part of the Great Give, our Executive Director joined Justin Farmer on WNHH (see below) to discuss the work we do at DESK.
The campaign ended with a Happy Hour at Trinity Bar & Restaurant, where a few dozen of our supporters gathered to raise a glass (some which were Star Wars-themed in honor of the date, May the Fourth) and spread some good cheer in honor of the incredible work our staff and volunteers have accomplished in the past year.