By Jay Sorgi • Posted September 3, 2025

Boot Up Philly began through St. John’s Hospice as a simple distribution of warm boots for hundreds of Philadelphians experiencing homelessness and impacted by poverty.

Now in its fifth year, the fall event outside the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Center City has grown into a way to present a broad range of resources for about 1,500 Philadelphians amid a party atmosphere.

“It really is important to meet these needs for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, who are impacted by poverty, who are from under-resourced neighborhoods, who don’t have access to these things, and to do it in a way that is dignified and joyous and hospitable,” said St. John’s Hospice Director of Development and Community Relations Kris Jaeger.

Boot Up Philly 2025 is slated for Saturday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

“It’s also a block party carnival, but also one-stop shopping, where you can get a coat for your kids, boots for your kids, boots and a coat for yourself, legal advice, a flu shot, health care information, something to eat and a place where kids can play.”

The event is giving away everything from women’s clothing to toiletries to meatball hoagies to infant diapers — just a sampling of countless items donated and purchased through hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, as well as boots.

Organizers have focused on making the event much more than just a series of resource booths with long lines. They want to make sure it’s an event and a day where guests feel compassion and hospitality every moment.

“Here you are on a Saturday morning, and there’s just so much activity and so much energy, life, and love being shared between everyone. It’s a beautiful experience,” said Barry Martin, program director for St. John’s Hospice.

“Someone could sit in line for you so you can use the bathroom. If you’re feeling anxious and having a hard time, you can reach out to this person in the vest. They’ll help you,” said Jaeger.

“We want this experience to be all-inclusive for folks, (making it) as easy as possible for them to access these very, very crucial items.”

Boot Up Philly brings together the outreach of parishes, Catholic schools and other entities across the Philadelphia region with donated items and volunteers coming from Villanova University students donating toiletries to those offering medical and legal knowledge to help meet the needs of fellow Philadelphians.

It becomes a day of contagious camaraderie and compassion.

“It does help for parishes that are on the perimeter of Philadelphia to feel like they are wanted and needed by those of us who are giving the day-to-day transactions with homeless, unhoused people. It makes them feel connected,” said Martin.

“A lot of people don’t really want to come to Center City, to Philadelphia, and they have these sort of imaginary fears that ‘Something’s going to happen to me.’ But when you get there you’re surrounded by all these people that are patient and kind. They’re helping one another.”

Jaeger and Martin are both asking for Catholics across the area to help raise $175,000 in donations, select needed items from a wish list, and offer their time and talent as volunteers.

“Some people might be nervous about working with individuals experiencing homelessness, but then there becomes this partnership and community that forms within the gate, under the shadow of the cathedral,” said Jaeger.

“In any world where people are suffering, the ability to make a difference in such a tangible way, everybody wins. Everybody gets something from it. You’re not going to leave that event the same as you were when you walked through the gate. It’s going to change you.”

Martin and Jaeger have both seen how Boot Up Philly has grown into a capstone event for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, one that unifies Catholics around the area in a shared mission of Christ-like compassion.

“It is an extension of the Catholic Church doing the work that it has been doing for many years. It really is the Catholic faith in action. It really does reflect Catholic Charities and all of our programs at (their) best,” said Jaeger.

Martin said his colleagues at St. John’s Hospice often discuss the passage from the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46) in which Jesus says in his parable, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

“You sit in the (church) pew and you question yourself, ‘When is the last time I saw someone in jail? When is the last time I gave someone clothes? When is the last time I fed somebody?’ This event almost incorporates all aspects of that,” Martin said.

“It’s the Gospel in action.”