Once upon a time on a cold winter night at a high school on the near west side of Cleveland, a few students set out in a van with some left over food and hot chocolate. They went into the streets of downtown Cleveland and gave the food away to the homeless people they saw sleeping on the streets, alleys, and sidewalks. They enjoyed the company they met encountered on the streets so much they went out the next Sunday; and continued to go out every Sunday since then for almost 3 years now.

The high school is St. Ignatius High School , and their weekly actions on Sunday night have evolved into what is known as the Labre Project. The name comes for Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, the patron saint of homeless people. The Labre Project was brought to John Carroll University by a group of Ignatius alumni in 2004. Traditionally Each Labre has a number; the first time John Carroll went out was Labre #1. On October 7 th John Carroll will celebrate its Labre #52 - our 1 st birthday!

Every Friday Night we meet in the Presidents Dinning Room across from Campus Ministry at 5:00 p.m. We then cook a meal for 120 people which will be distributed throughout the course of the night. After the preparation of the food we have a reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament, to prepare our minds and souls for the night. We return to campus around 10 p.m. and have a remembrance of those we met that night.

What makes Labre special is our purpose. The purpose of Labre is not to feed the homeless, but to offer them friendship. It is through the meal we bring that we build friendship with those we encounter every Friday night.

All are welcome to come with us on a Friday night; we ask though that you first sign up on our sign up page. or see our "Get Involved!" page to help continue and support the Project.