Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-06-22
MANY SUPPERS AID
SHOCK MEN
Clerks Relief As
ISOLATION in Valuable Work
f0r.S0Idiers.

! At the close of the war the War
Relief Association of the United
States Department of Agriculture had
considerable amount of unexpended
money on hand. While considering
the best way to use the funds the
attention of the association was
called to the condition of the she'll
shocked soldiers and sailors at St.
Elizabeth's Hospital. On account Of
the crowded state of the hospital it
was impossible to give the service
men special attention and they were
morose and respondent and. conse-
quently, were not making the desired
progress toward health.
A few of the women visited the
hospital and their symPathies were so
aroused that 1t was decided to use
the funds to give Sunday suppers to
such Of these soldiers and sailors as
could'be sent into the city with at
PENDANTS, and to carry candy, fruit,
ice cream and other delicacies to the
shut ms"
Extent Of Service.
For one year suppers were served
to these men every Sunday evening
and TO rthe second year they have
been served twice month. Trinity
Community House was used the first
eighteen months and now Epiphany
Chapel House. 230 18th street south
west, is used. From fifty to one hun
dred men have been fed and enter
tanned each time.
The entire charge of the men and
all responsibility for their safety is
assumed by the American Red Cross.
field director Of this organization
in every possible way. The War De-
partment co-operates by sending
trucks for the men, the Red Cross
paying the chauffeurs.
The parties arrive early and have
good sing and a talk or picture
show before the supper, then more
singing and visiting afterward. The
men look forward with eager antici-
patton to the suppers, and beg, days
in advance, to be included in the list
for the next trip. 1t is privilege
and a benefit to them to leave the
hospital atmosphere even for d few
hours, and many of the men have
stated that the suppers made them
think of home.
Various Contributions.
At first refreshments were served in
cafeteria fashion, but later the ply
siciaps suggested that il might be
more beneficial to the men to have the
suppers served in a more homelike
manner This suggestion was car
ried out, and excellent suppers are
served in an orderly manner by vol
unteers from the department. Ar
lington experimental farm OF the De-
partment of Agriculture has con-
Iributed quantities of fruit and vege-
tables, and cut flowers from the
greenhouses of the department have
helped to make the tables attractive.
Special dinners have been served at
Thanksgiving and other holiday times
and extra parties have been given at
the hospital. approximately $500
suppers have been served in the two
years.
The great value of the work lies IN
he recognition by the men of the
sympa ting and interest shown in their
behalf. AS they improve in condition
they are very appreclauTe or the
work and testify as to it's value.
The opportunity to meet and talk to
mature women is considered by III"
physicians to be very beneficial, and
ANY a man is ready to unourus n
his heart and tell about his family
and his home or his experiences. TO
some Respondent men these suDpers
have brought the first ray of hope OF
being able to return 10 the outside
world. Sometimes the improvemen mt
in the condition of these afflicted
men is so rapid as to be noticeable
from week to week. This is source
of great qualification to the women
who are carrying on the work and en-
courages them to continue it for so
long as may seem desirable.