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.

Among the event’s most celebrated sponsors were Yale’s Office of New Haven Affairs, Houlihan Lawrence Wareck D’Ostillio, Morgan Stanley, Yale New Haven Health, Global Partners, Tzedakah House, and DOOR3.  Additional sponsors included the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Connecticut Health Foundation, the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, Wiggin & Dana, Svigals + Partners, PAC Group, Lazeez Indian Cuisine, Smith Party Rental, Fitzgerald’s Florist, New England Brewing Company, Waypoint Spirits, and Athletic Brewing Company. Students from ACES Educational Center for the Arts performed during the cocktail hour, and photography was provided by Melanie Stengel Photography, both of whom donated their time and services.

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.

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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.

Additional photos can be viewed here.