For more than four decades, Carter-Westminster United Presbyterian Church has stood as a steadfast pillar of support for The Night Ministry's mission to serve Chicago's unhoused. The Skokie-based congregation, led by Rev. Stuart Barnes Jamieson, has woven service into the fabric of its identity, consistently providing 200 sack suppers each month for our Outreach and Health Program.
" The sandwich ministry, as we call it at Carter-Westminster, has become an important part of our ministry church life," Rev. Jamieson shared with a smile. "Our members enjoy the opportunity to 'give back' by helping to make the sandwiches every month."Dedicated church members, Elio Sidan and his late wife, Zenaida, have carried forward this legacy of service. For years, the couple embodied the church's commitment, providing care for their neighbors experiencing homelessness and poverty by volunteering at local pantries, and on The Night Ministry's health outreach bus. Even as her health declined, Zenaida continued to organize volunteers and prepare meals—her
determination inspiring a new generation, including her granddaughter, Alicia, to join in the work. "Zenaida was one of a kind," Elio says.
"She truly helped so many people in the community." Elio honors his wife's memory by continuing the monthly preparation and delivery of the sack suppers, each one containing sandwiches, chips, fruit, and pastries. These meals offer immediate relief to unhoused individuals in neighborhoods such as Pilsen, New City, South Shore, and at various encampments throughout Chicago, offering nourishment and human connection.
As the unhoused population and their needs continues to grow, collaboration and support from community-based organizations are essential. Carter-Westminster's unwavering partnership not only reflects a powerful model of sustained community action but also a living legacy of compassion and care that continues to feed both body and spirit. The Night Ministry is extremely grateful for this lasting partnership that helps us offer hope, dignity, and sustenance to Chicago's most vulnerable residents