The Crown Market in West Hartford and St. Mark the Evangelist Church in Hartford, will be honored by Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation at its annual Benefit Soiree, to be held on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Hartford Hilton.
The two organizations will be recognized for their partnership in helping the homeless. Each evening, volunteers from St. Mark’s pick up bread donated by Crown Market and deliver it to St. Elizabeth House, an entity of Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation, which provides housing assistance and supportive services to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Roger Kerouac

The idea of donating bread to help feed the homeless was the brainchild of Roger Kerouac, who joined Crown Market as store manager nine years ago. Noting that the popular Bishop’s Corner kosher food mart was throwing away unsold baked goods at the end of the day, Kerouac approached the owners with a plan — and Crown Market, a cornerstone of the greater Hartford Jewish community for more than seven decades, immediately began donating the bread to several different local organizations, including senior centers, schools, and Jewish Family Services’ food bank.
“I just couldn’t see throwing it all away,” Kerouac says, “In the Jewish faith we are taught to do good deeds. Giving everyday is an act of kindness — a mitzvah.”
In 2006, Mercy Housing joined the list of organizations on the receiving end of Crown’s good will. Today, volunteers from St. Mark’s stop at Crown several times a week to pick up the donations of bread and deliver them to St. Elizabeth. John Clark, a St. Mark’s volunteer who oversees the volunteer schedule, estimates that it is close to 30 or 40 pounds each time.
“These are wonderful goods, beautiful artisan breads and danishes, all put to good use.  We are just so grateful that Crown is willing to help,” says Clark.
“We are thrilled to be able to recognize these two organizations for their extraordinary partnership in helping their homeless brothers and sisters,” says Sister Pat McKeon, executive director of Mercy Housing.  “We are grateful for their time and generosity, working together to aid members throughout our entire community. This is a true act of mercy!”