House of Peace Holiday Food Basket & Toy Program

Click here to view video

 

The House of Peace has been a mainstay in the Milwaukee community since 1968. Br. Booker Ashe, the first director of the House of Peace, would try to assist anyone in need.  Being a Capuchin friar, he followed the credo of promoting growth and wholesome independence…all with respect and dignity.

Part of that philosophy included supplying a basket to needy families who registered at the House of Peace.  The basket would contain all the fixings for a festive holiday meal and the Christmas holiday basket would include a toy for each youngster in the family. 

In exchange for the holiday food basket, each recipient was to attend a class at the House of Peace.  Classes ranged from managing finances to establishing a budget to health topics.  Each class was designed to instill knowledge that would assist in bettering the recipient’s situation.

Brother Booker’s win-win philosophy was a simple one.  Know the value in what you are getting and work for what you want.  

The House of Peace holiday food basket program continues forty years later. Today, 1,000 central city families receive food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Toys are gathered for each child and we strive to gift each child with three age appropriate new toys.

As you can imagine, this is a huge undertaking for the House of Peace. Please view the above video. We would be grateful for any support you may be able to contribute...whether it be food for the baskets or cash donations for the turkeys and Christmas toys.

Click here to view a short interview with one of our Capuchin brothers as he helps the House of Peace holiday effort. Click here to view another short interview with another Capuchin friar.

Please contact Jim Van Hoven for ideas how we can use your time or talent to make 1,000 families happy this holiday season. Bless you.

HOUSE OF PEACE HISTORY


What began in 1968 continues today. Br. Booker and Fr. Matthew have left a legacy of service to the poor that is unmatched in our community.

Today the House of Peace continues to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. It continues to be a gathering place where people can serve, meet, learn and socialize. It continues to be a place of sanctuary and refuge for the poor; a ray of light in lives that too often know darkness. Most importantly, the House of Peace continues to evolve to address the changing needs of those whom it serves.

Since its founding in 1968, the House of Peace has never become stagnant. Instead, it continues to experiment, to cooperate, to inspire, to encourage, to instruct, to heal, and to feed.