Followers of St. Francis

When Theresa Diersen walks into the dining room at St. Francis Seraph Ministries in Cincinnati, Ohio, guests immediately take notice: Faces light up; hugs are in abundance.

In response to the growing number of refugees, poor, and the homeless, Father Marcellino and the friars decided to transform their historic monastery’s former refectory into a soup kitchen.

As many as 4,538 residents experience homelessness on any given day. Milwaukee, in particular, is beset by homelessness, prostitution, and human trafficking.