The six weeks before Easter Sunday is Lent, when many Christians abstain from certain foods or activities. In Irvington, the Irvington Association of Ministers host “round robin” style Soup Suppers at participating churches, sharing fellowship among denominations and building a stronger community. The churches have created this tradition over the past 12 years or so, exploring their shared faith during the holiest period of the year for Christians.
After the suppers, a collection plate is passed with all proceeds going to support the Irvington Community Advocacy Network (ICAN) programs. ICAN serves the Irvington community several ways, including rent, utility, and emergency assistance, a food pantry at Downey Avenue Christian Church, and clothing closet at Emerson Avenue Baptist Church. Founded in 1997, ICAN has helped many people in the neighborhood.
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, March 6, the soup suppers will be held at 6 p.m. followed by worship at 7 p.m. The schedule and location for this year’s Lenten soup suppers is:
• March 6 at Gethsemane Lutheran, 6810 E. 10th St., with Amie Vanderford speaking after
• March 13 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8320 E. 10th St., with Justin Thornburgh speaking after
• March 20 at Irvington Presbyterian, 55 Johnson Ave., with Trey Flowers speaking after
• March 27 at Ellenberger United Church of Christ, 5520 E. 10th St., with Frank Impicciche speaking after
• April 3 at Downey Ave. Christian Church. 111 S. Downey Ave., with Chelsea Benham speaking after
• April 10 at Our Lady of Lourdes, 5333 E. Washington St., with Alan Blakeburn speaking after
ICAN assistance is available to individuals in the Irvington area. The main office is at Irvington United Methodist Church. 30 N. Audubon, and is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The phone number is 317-9345.
The ICAN Clothing Closet is located at Emerson Avenue Baptist Church and is open on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 p.m. and Fridays from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. to the public.
The ICAN Food Pantry is located at Downey Avenue Christian Church and is open the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 1-3 p.m.
