Lynch, Cupich honor wager to benefit the poor

The leaders of the home Catholic dioceses for the Chicago Blackhawks hawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning decided June 17 that charity and generosity should be the final result of their wager — so that the poor in both cities might win.

Archbishop Cupich had promised enough Chicago deep dish pizzas to feed the 300 guests of Pinellas Hope, a shelter for homeless people in Clearwater, Florida, if the Blackhawks lost. Bishop Robert Lynch had answered the challenge by offering to ship cases of fruit to St. Leo’s Residence for Veterans, a Catholic Charities ministry in Chicago, if the Lightning were defeated.
“All of Chicago is offering a prayer of gratitude today,” said Archbishop Cupich. “The city is celebrating and we want to include our friends in Florida in that celebration.”
Chicago deep dish pizzas and Florida fruit will be delivered to both Pinellas Hope in Clearwater, Florida, and to St. Leo’s Residence for Veterans in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

“We are humble in defeat but since we can’t send our winning weather to Chicago, we hope the veterans at St. Leo’s enjoy the next best thing, our Florida fruit,” said Bishop Lynch. “We appreciate the wonderful pizzas and, remember, there is always next year.”
The pizzas and their transportation are being donated by Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
Pinellas Hope, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is a temporary emergency shelter in Clearwater. Since 2007, it has assisted more than 1,800 individuals.
St. Leo’s Residence, located in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, is an example of Catholic Charities’ dream to keep veterans safe, off the streets and treated with dignity.