The Breakfast at St. Andrews

Mission: To feed the poor and homeless.

We are a free program for anyone who needs a hot breakfast. The Breakfast at St. Andrew’s started with a simple idea — the desire to help others through tough economic times. Back in 1982, Michigan was among the states hardest hit by a national economic recession. Its unemployment rate was one of the highest in the country. The community needed help, and a small group of parishioners at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor responded. A handful of volunteers started serving breakfast to anyone who needed it — about 35 guests three times a week in the parish hall. Soon, they were offering breakfast every day. And we’ve been doing it ever since — 365 days a year.

Today, The Breakfast at St. Andrew’s serves almost 100 meals daily and is run by a 12-member board of directors. More than 100 volunteers, many from outside the church, donate their time on a regular basis. We serve breakfast for one hour every morning. Volunteers typically arrive at about 7am to assist with set up and from 7:30am to 8:30 a.m., we welcome guests who come for a hot meal and the opportunity to enjoy it in a safe comfortable space. When our guests arrive they are able to choose from an assortment of grits, oatmeal, fruit, pastries, juice, toast, coffee, and cold cereal. There is no qualification process to receive breakfast. Guests then take a seat at round tables and enjoy visiting with one another or relaxing inside while they eat their breakfast. At 8:30am the food is picked up and the volunteers clean and put everything away before leaving at around 9am. Our volunteers help with a variety of tasks including: making oatmeal and grits, replenishing food on the buffet table, serving food from the counter, and assisting with clean up and dishes.

Guests include the young and old. Some are experiencing homelessness or struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, but most are working men and women who are trying to make ends meet.