The Cathedral of the Assumption began responding to the needs of the hungry in downtown Louisville during the Great Depression by serving cheese sandwiches to those in need.   Today the program has grown to provide a luncheon meal (usually soup, a bologna sandwich, dessert, and drink) at Sandefur Dining Hall 365 days a year from 12:15-1:00 p.m. to an average of 130 homeless and low-income individuals.  Hundreds of volunteers donate their time, talent, and treasure to the Daily Lunch Program each year.  





Would you like to get involved?  Here are some opportunities:

• Volunteers are needed to assist in the preparation and distribution of lunch: making sandwiches; processing and preparing donated vegetables, fruits, and desserts; serving meals; and washing dishes and cleaning.  Daily preparation times are from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  Servers are needed from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• Drivers are needed Monday – Friday mornings for pick-up and delivery of supplies and food to Sandefur Dining Room, and for recycling pick-up from the kitchen.
• Supplies can be donated by checking out our Kitchen Wish List.
• Monetary donations can be mailed to the Cathedral.  Be sure to specify that you wish your donation to go to the Daily Lunch Program.

Please contact Molly Chesney, Volunteer Coordinator, (502) 657-5211 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to volunteer.  We want to ensure that your time and talent are put to good use; therefore, it is helpful for us to schedule you ahead of time. 

Volunteers

If you are signed up to volunteer with the Daily Lunch Program

• Be sure to wear comfortable clothing, including closed-toed shoes
• Bring a hat or something to cover your hair
• Keep valuable items (purses, wallets, etc.) in your car or someplace safe.  (We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.)
• Please find street parking or use the PARC parking garage located directly north of the Cathedral on 5th Street
• The kitchen entrance is located off the alley behind the Cathedral.  You can access this alley off Muhammad Ali Boulevard or by walking between the Cathedral and the parking garage.  The kitchen is labeled as “Sandefur Dining Hall” and has an awning over the door.  Please knock and a volunteer or staff member will let you in.

Community Partners

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Vincenzo's Restaurant has made a tradition of providing a delicious holiday meal for our Daily Lunch Program guests.  We sincerely thank Augostino, Vincenzo, and the entire restaurant staff for their generosity! 

Our lunch program would not exist without the support of countless volunteers and community partners.  More than half of our volunteers are employed by Mercer, Humana and Kindred.  Please support these generous community organizations:

• Dare to Care Food Bank and Kentucky Harvest provide us with meat and other food supplies.
• Garden Gate Fruit Market donates fruit and vegetables
• Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen  provides us with tasty cakes, pies, and other desserts once a week.
• Panera Bread Company  donates day-old bread and desserts once a week.
• Kentucky Bison Company  provides bison products when they are available.
• The Root Cellar donates fruit and vegetables
  

Thank you to Metro Family Services for its generous grants that help to pay for hte cost of food in our Daily Lunch Program, as well as funds to help us distribute personal identification vouchers for the homeless and working poor.  Both services make it possible for us to deliver nutrition, dignity, and proof of identity to the "widows and orphan" of our time.

Service Learning Programs

The Cathedral offers service learning programs for Catholic grade schools around town, from field trips for 2nd and 3rd graders that educate students about our lunch program and the history of the Cathedral to opportunities for 7th and 8th graders to serve lunch on a weekly basis.  Please contact the parish office for more information.

Lenten Fish Fries

One way you can help support the Daily Lunch Program is through participation in our Lenten Lunch Fish Fries.  We host a $7 luncheon fish fry from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Come on Fridays during Lent to enjoy fried fish, a baked potato, coleslaw, drink and dessert!  All proceeds from the program go directly to the Daily Lunch Program.