Chris Hoffman knows the kindness of strangers firsthand, making him an authority in his line of work in more ways than one. As the Head Chef at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix – the largest chapter of the worldwide Catholic organization – he ensures that the people who pass through their doors always leave having felt the love of God. St. Vincent is a non-profit organization that focuses on helping those in need by connecting them with resources and whatever they may need to get back on their feet.
For five years, Hoffman lived in Jamaica, eventually returning to the United States with his new wife, their baby and another child on the way. The family settled in Arizona, where Hoffman struggled to find a job that would keep them all afloat.
“My daughter was about six months old and I still couldn’t find a job,” he said. “I went to DES, got food stamps and kept looking. I reached out to St. Vincent… They came to our apartment, [brought] food boxes, helped us with our rent and paid some [of our] bills. A few days later, they called and they gave me a car.”
Blessed by the earnest kindness that had been shown to him and his family, Hoffman’s life was forever changed. Fast-forward fifteen years later – after that life-altering day – he was working in the culinary field at the Phoenician in Scottsdale when he stumbled upon an ad on Craigslist about St. Vincent de Paul.
“Well, at first I didn’t know it was St. Vincent,” Hoffman said. “They were looking for a chef who could feed a high volume of people.” After two interviews, he was hired as their Head Chef, and his story with St. Vincent finally came full circle. “We help people who are in worse situations than I was in, but we help everyone who needs it.”
Every day, St. Vincent in Phoenix feeds 4000 to 4500 people in their dining room. Hoffman and his kitchen team prepare the food, often collaborating with outside agencies like halfway houses and sober living facilities. “It feels really good giving back to people who need it,” he said.
St. Vincent is committed to making sure that everyone who needs a meal receives one, and over the holidays, that goal looks a little different.
“Thanksgiving is a big holiday for us,” said Hoffman. He explained that the holiday means a lot at St. Vincent since it centers on gratitude and helping others. They organize a yearly turkey drive and often have “a few different people who reach out last minute, needing help providing for senior citizens and people in transitional living facilities,” Hoffman said. Because of this, St. Vincent always anticipates needing a few hundred extra meals during the holiday season. “We always have a little extra for the people who need it.”
Hoffman describes St. Vincent’s volunteers as the heart of the organization, and they especially thrive on the extra volume of volunteers during the holidays. If you’re interested in volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix or donating to the organization, visit stvincentdepaul.net.
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