Lieberman Spends X-Mas Eve at Homeless Mission
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
WASHINGTON — Presidential hopeful Joe Lieberman (search) spent part of Christmas Eve day working the serving line providing meals to the homeless in Washington.
The Connecticut senator and wife Hadassah went to So Others Might Eat (search) -- SOME -- a charity which feeds hundreds of homeless people in the nation's capital.
Wearing green aprons over their clothes and beige hats, the couple served hamburger casserole, quiche and beef barley soup to about 140 homeless people at the facility, which is barely a mile and a half north of the U.S. Capitol (search). Lieberman called what he was doing "a human response to a human need."
"They're just like us, but they haven't had a break," Lieberman said of those in line. "When you're in that line putting casserole on the plate, you really know you're doing something good."
SOME was founded in 1970 and the group said it now serves about 800 meals a day.
Before the meal, the candidate spoke to some of the homeless who were taking part in a support group. He told them to "stay healthy, hopeful and have faith that things will get better." Many in the crowd recognized Lieberman and seemed grateful to see him, as did those who volunteer at SOME.
"If other people see that Lieberman is doing this they'll volunteer," said Valerie Voorhies, 16, a student at Chantilly High School in suburban Fairfax County, Va.
Following the event, Lieberman was taking a few days off the campaign trail to spend the remaining nights of Hanukkah with family. He urged Americans not to be daunted by this week's heightening of the terror alert to Code Orange (search).
"We cannot allow these warnings to diminish the joy and goodwill of this festive time of the year," Lieberman said.
Some members of Lieberman's campaign staff also said Wednesday they were postponing receiving paychecks until next month, in an effort to conserve cash. |
