New York pub aids city's homeless with food, clothing

Modern Brewery Age, Dec 21, 1992

The North Star Pub, an authentic British pub in New York City, will again mark the day after Christmas by hosting its 10th annual Boxing Day celebration.

The day will begin with St. Stephen's Day Mass at the bar, followed by a party where free bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes) will be served. The festivities also include collecting food and clothing for homeless families.

Members of the public are invited to attend the Mass, celebrated with Father Larry McCormick, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish of Teaneck, NJ. Father McCormick noted that the religious tradition of St. Stephen's Day and the British secular tradition of Boxing Day both involve sharing one's relative wealth with those less fortunate.

"St. Stephen was one of seven deacons chosen to oversee distribution of the Jerusalem church's food and money supplies to the widows, orphans and other needy members of the first century A.D. community," explained Father McCormick. "Boxing Day derives from the ancient practice of boxing up surplus clothing and food for delivery to less fortunate members of the community."

Last year Boxing Day pub-goers contributed almost a ton of canned food and clothing. Newspaper, radio, and television reports of the day's events inspired a Fortune 100 company to add several hundred new winter jackets to the collection.

According to North Star's manager, Deven Black, anyone contributing food or clothing will receive a gift certificate redeemable in January or February for a free beverage at the pub, which features a large selection of British and Irish ales.

"We started celebrating Boxing Day in 1983 to thank our customers for a great year," Black explained. "That is still part of why we do it, but it is a great feeling to join with the members of the Holy Trinity Parish in both solemnity and celebration."

This year's event is sponsored by Fuller's Brewery of Chiswick, London, and by Grolsch Importers of Atlanta, the importer of Fuller's London Pride and E.S.B. ales.