Cornelius Spikes, working through a contract that the cathedral has made with the FreestoreFoodbank, coordinates services and provides support for those seeking assistance and those wishing to volunteer to help. Volunteer friends are a key component of this pilot program.

Volunteer friends are those who desire greater involvement in assisting those who are homeless or otherwise in need. Initially, volunteer friends are helping those in need secure the necessary personal identification, such as birth certificates or driver's licenses, that is a prerequisite for qualifying for government and subsidized housing. Cornelius will provide training and assistance in helping volunteer friends carry out their ministry. Cathedral clergy will work with the volunteers to help them understand and nurture the spiritual base for serving those whose lives are deeply troubled.

This is a pilot effort which means we expect to gain greater understanding and knowledge of what works and what doesn't as the program unfolds, says Pat Coyle, a member of the program's advisory committee. As a work in progress, the committee anticipates making program modifications through the year, the time span for the pilot.