On one Sunday evening back in 2018 during Mass, the Holy Spirit “whispered” to Kelly Greene, a parishioner of Prince of Peace Catholic Parish in Hoover. Greene and her husband had been discussing ways to continue their work with the homeless, but it was in that moment listening to Father John Fallon preach that their path became clear: provide a food truck to take food directly to those that need it. Greene and her husband applied for and were granted non-profit status. They reached out to Christine Golab to help implement their plan, and service to the community officially began in the fall of 2019.

Today, Food For Our Journey serves meals seven days a week out of its modified cargo van, traveling to almost 30 different locations in the Birmingham area daily. On average, 250 to 300 people come to the van each day and about 400 meals are served, which translates to roughly 145,000 meals served each year. Providing breakfast and lunch fills empty stomachs, but Greene contends the ministry is so much more.

In addition to the hygiene items, medications, wound care kits, and clothing kept on board the van, ultimately, a relational ministry is borne by the trust those in need begin to place in Food for Our Journey. Once that happens, Greene says the ministry becomes a bridge. “We are then able to help them find housing, medical care, treatment for substance use — pretty much anything that might be an issue for them,” she points out. “We are helping them toward their ultimate goal of ending their homelessness.”

One gentleman who reached out to Food For Our Journey sums up the ministry best: “I'm at rock bottom. I've lost everything. … This is where God stepped in and introduced me to Food For Our Journey. ... They fed me, put gas in my truck, and paid for my blood pressure meds. When I say they saved my life, I mean it. All I could think about at the time was suicide. Food For Our Journey gave me hope, showed me compassion, and loved me unconditionally. Fast forward three months. I have found a job. I have an apartment. I am rebuilding my family.”