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Parishes with PADS programs find new ways to help the homeless

Parishes across the Chicago area had been sheltering homeless people for more than 30 years through PADS when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Faced with suddenly being unable to accommodate overnight guests, many of them pivoted to providing food instead. On Jan. 29, 2021, volunteers from St. Stephen Deacon & Martyr Parish in Tinley Park delivered and served homemade meals those in need and living at the Baymont Hotel in Calumet City through the PADS program. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Reginald Torian, PADS volunteer, Deacon Bob Conlin from St. Stephen Deacon & Martyr Church, Tinley Park, and Dev Bandyopadhyay, also from PADS, unpack homemade meals that will be served to people who are in need and living at the Baymont Hotel in Calumet City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Bob Conlin, St. Stephen Deacon & Martyr Church, Tinley Park, unpacks meals made by parishioners from his church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Conlin leads volunteers in prayer before serving dinner. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bags filled with masks and other toiletries are available for guests to pick up when they get their dinner. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Bob Conlin serves dinner to guest. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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