Thursday, May 7, 2009

New York City, 1930 and PFF


To: Mathews & Taylor, 505 8 th Ave. New York.
Image of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Diamond Jubilee Souvenir.
Postmarked Nov. 8, 1930.

“My Dear Friends: many many thanks for the lovly [sic] donation for our large bread line. We had today 1644 in the morning and 1500 in the afternoon. Respectfully, Brother Gabriel”

This postcard is from Brother Gabriel Mehler, founder of the breadline in 1929.
St. Francis of Assisi Church is at 135-141 West 31st Street, between 7 th and Ave. of the Americas, half a block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.

November 1930. It’s been about a year since the 1929 stock market crash. It was in early 1930 that then-President Hoover said “Prosperity is just around the corner.” These are the days of apple-sellers on the streets of New York. And the priests and brothers of St. Francis of Assisi, serving an unimaginable number of people, each day.

From the breadline’s webpage: “The Breadline reassures poor men and women that no matter how bad life gets, we will be there to help them start their day with a meal and a kind word -. every day for as long as it takes them to get back on their feet. Every morning at 7 a.m. we head out onto the sidewalk in front of Saint Francis of Assisi Church to greet about 200 people who line up for a cup of coffee and a couple of sandwiches. Within just a few minutes they disappear into the crowds of commuters rushing by. We don't know where they go, but we know they will be back, and we will be there waiting for them.”

“The Breadline is needed today more than ever, and that is where you can help. For just $15, you can feed a hungry person for an entire week. For $75, you can feed five people for a week. That's a pretty significant accomplishment, and it's something we don't take for granted. We will use whatever you can give us to ease the suffering of those who seek our help.”
This is a view into the past that moves my heart. Consider contributing to the breadline; I did.
viridian

18 comments:

Postcardy said...

That's really interesting that the breadline has lasted so long and that they have a website. Also an interesting postcard because of the message and the fact that it has been saved so long.

Mandala Michelle said...

I collect rare books and I love it when there is writting inside. Thanks for sharing your beautiful card and the story with it.

Marie Reed said...

This is a phenomenal historical document you have here! What a treasure and an important things to give to the charity close to your heart!

Anonymous said...

A wonderful card to have, and a great charity too. They doo such good work, so quietly. It's not only the big, high profile charities who are needed.

Sheila

Paul van Yperen said...

Beautiful card, interesting post. Thanks.

Debby said...

WOW!!!! Love this card and the history behind it. I have enjoyed your post.
Debby

viridian said...

thanks everyone. It's good to know someone is reading! I have sent a scan of this postcard to St. Francis - they appreciated it.
Mathews and Taylor are long gone, but 505 8 th Ave is still a big office building.

Robin said...

A fabulous card....
and great history too

Have a beautiful weekend.

Terry said...

Fantastic information today.
I did not know about this website or that the breadline was still going after all these years.
This is one amazing post.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful card and the history as well as the need to keep this labor of love going.
Happy Postcard Friendship Friday to you .
Have a blessed weekend.

ilyani said...

oh.. this POSTCARD is sure a treasure! :)

Happy PFF!

imajica is imajicated

Daryl said...

Loved learning this ... Happy PFF!

Chris Overstreet said...

Such a nice acknowledgement of a donation. Hopefully the lines today will not grow to the length that they were in 1930.

Margo said...

This is fabulous! I love everything about this post - from the handwriting, to the photo to the history. Happy PFF!

mel said...

Not only a beautiful card, but a wonderful piece of history too..happy pff!

Aimee said...

What a wonderful postcard! I can't believe the bread line is still going. I'm amazed at the numbers they were feeding back then.

Pearl said...

What a Terrific
postcard to have!
Indeed, a real
Treasure...
Wonderful History, too...

~blessings~
Pearl

Evelyn Yvonne Theriault said...

I'm learning so much from your site about different ways to blog about postcards.

From the Old InkWell said...

I stumbled across you blog today. What an interesting postcard - how relevant to our times today!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails