What started as a single student’s mission to offer hospitality to the homeless has grown into a student-run organization serving 750 meals and sharing meaningful conversations over the last year.
Food for Thought was founded by Paul Selberg, UW-Madison alum and Saint Paul’s intern, in the spring of 2024.
He began his mission solo, but it grew as he invited friends to come with him to encounter the poor with food and, more importantly, a genuine and loving interaction. This was the start of Food for Thought.
“Our mission begins with cooking delicious meals and sharing not just food, but hope, with those without shelter. We seek to know their names — names often left unspoken for weeks — and to listen to their beautiful, untold stories,” said Selberg.
“We believe that every person has inherent dignity, not because of what they own, but simply because they are human. While daily care and love are easy to take for granted, many experiencing homelessness haven’t felt that warmth in a long time. A little bit of genuine love and attention can make all the difference.”
The group is now a registered student organization through the university, bringing in students of all backgrounds to participate in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Every Saturday and Sunday, 20 to 30 student volunteers meet at Saint Paul’s to cook the meal, have a brief time of prayer, and meditate on Christ’s call to serve the poor.
Then, they go out in pairs to find someone to share the meal with and truly get to know their story.
Volunteers have completed 31 missions over the last year, and counting.
The impact is not only on the homeless but also on the students themselves.
Here is one volunteer’s experience: “I expected to have a brief conversation with someone, hand them some food, and move on. However, what began as a simple exchange soon turned into a deep conversation. I found myself captivated by his story, his rocky relationship with his parents, his journey through substance abuse, and his path to discovering God and truth. His wisdom and resilience truly inspired me and gave me a lot to think about. We kept in touch regularly and together, worked on his resume and what jobs he could apply to. Today, he has two jobs and is doing wonderfully. I couldn’t be prouder of him, and he has become a lifelong friend.”
Beyond providing meals, Food for Thought volunteers strive to build motivation, instill a belief in each person’s abilities, and nurture their faith.
Support groups help individuals build resumes, apply for jobs, and more.
Food for Thought is student-run and fully relies on donations to operate.
If you would like to get involved or support this mission, contact founder and president Paul Selberg at 414-750-2031 or visit foodforthoughtmadison.netlify.app.