Hopkins Against Hunger Project: A Spotlight on the Sunrise Cafe

Gitanjali Navaratnam-Tomayko '28 News Editor

Fundraising opportunities related to food insecurity are back at Hopkins, newly reimagined as the Hopkins Against Hunger Project, led by Hopkins Student Council (StuCO). In prior years, Hopkins participants have fundraised for Connecticut Food-share, but this year’s fundraising will benefit New Haven’s Sunrise Cafe. The Hopkins Against Hunger Project, or HAHP, began on March 28 and ended on April 12. The project includes fundraising opportunities, chances to volunteer in the mornings at Sunrise Cafe and various other hands-on, food-insecurity-related events.

The HAHP has been designed as an opportunity to fight food insecurity while also being an enjoyable activity for students. In addition to making the fundraiser a schoolwide contest, Hopkins has emphasized fundraising with friends and the impact that even a few donations can make. Senior Mikoto Araki-Siegenfeld ’26 said that “most of the time people overlook how important fundraising is and how much you can contribute — just being there for two hours got us over $200, which will provide so many meals. It was also a fun time to be with my friends.”

Others, such as Vivian Huang ’26, also valued the experience. “It is always such a great opportunity to help a good cause with classmates,” Huang said. As of April 23, Hopkins students had fundraised for a combined 700 hours and was poised to surpass its $10,000 goal. "At 9967 as of right now! One more weekend to go," outgoing StuCo President Ripley Chance said. The HAHP was structured as a contest in which each grade competes to fundraise the most hours. "The seniors are definitely going to win,” Chance said.

Located at the St. Paul and St. James Episcopal Church in Wooster Square, New Haven, Sunrise Cafe hosts up to 240 guests each morning. The cafe is open on weekdays from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and operates with a team of volunteers — around a dozen — and chefs to provide nutritious breakfasts free of charge.

The cafe serves as a community hub and operates with only two rules: no drugs and no arguing. Founded by Anne Calabresi and Ellen M. Gabrielle, Sunrise Cafe opened in 2015. Calabresi also founded Leadership, Education & Athletics in Partnership, or LEAP New Haven, and the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. In its first four years alone, the cafe provided more than 36,000 breakfasts. The cafe aims to foster a strong sense of community. Ashvin van Bladel ’27, who regularly volunteers there, said that “there’s one family that comes almost every morning, and when I have a few minutes of free time, I play with their toddler.” Van Bladel added that “there is definitely an overall sense of community and togetherness at Sunrise Cafe.” The organization notes that “volunteers come once and become regulars. Guests and volunteers become friends and greet one another on the street.”

While many come to Sunrise Cafe for a warm, healthy breakfast, other services are also available. At least once a week, the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center provides basic health care, foot care, clean socks, and new shoes for guests. These services are also supported through the New Haven Paws Project.

Additionally, mental health support is available through the Connecticut Mental Health Center, which offers counseling at the cafe once a week. Each day, housing, employment and job training resources are provided through Liberty Community Services. Located next to Sunrise Cafe is Loaves and Fishes, which serves as a food pantry and offers clothing to guests. While the HAHP is an important initiative, it lasts for a few weekends of the year. Other opportunities such as volunteering at Sunrise Cafe, making and delivering sandwiches through the “Spread the Love” Sandwich Maker program, or purchasing items directly from the cafe’s Amazon wishlist remain available.

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Hopkins Against Hunger Project: A Spotlight on the Sunrise Cafe