John Tumino

We understand that living on the streets is life and death in CNY. Since 2011 44 friends have passed away living outdoors. 2 women were murdered, 2 friends died in abandoned house fire trying to stay warm, 30 friends have overdosed, 8 friends have died from health complication from living a hard life outdoors and 2 friends were hit by vehicles while walking on the side of the road. Scott who is in the picture we are holding up is one of the men hit by a vehicle. We met Scott in early 2015 living outdoors, he was one of Steve’s (pictured here) good friends. Steve and Scott were homeless living on the streets of Syracuse. Steve made it indoors on 7/7/15  with Scott making indoors not to far after in late fall of that year. Steve addressed his addiction was reunited with his family and is now living in S. Carolina with his family. Scott never addressed his addiction and was disconnected from his family who is living in N. Carolina. In March 2018 Scott was walking home in a drunken state and fell into the road into on coming traffic. Scott was severely injured and passed away due to his injuries. IMFK did a service for Scott here in Syracuse and we have been the guardians of his remains knowing there would be a time to transport him back to the Carolinas to spread his ashes. Well the opportunity presented itself last week as Steve was able to come up to Syracuse for a visit and to take care of some business. Steve met us at IMFK for a reunion with his friend Scott. Steve and I shared funny memories of Scott and talked about life coming to a full circle. Steve will be transporting Scott back home and spreading his ashes in the State he was born in. Our mission at IMFK is to bring Value and Dignity to our friends even unto DEATH! Scott Love you my brother YOU WERE NOT INVISIBLE!

We received a message from Patricia Parzych whos family owns Ace Hardware in Brewerton asking if it were possible for the store to sell our Taste and See Products. The answer was absolutely YES! Community Partnership is a wonderful thing especially in the corporate sector. This partnership will not just bring in finances for our work but it will also bring awareness to the community of Brewerton regarding homelessness in CNY. Big thank you to the TEAM at Ace Hardware for believing in our mission, together we are building hope and changing lives.

Ace Hardware 

9655 Brewerton Rd

Brewerton NY 13029

Year two with Wellwood Middle School was fantastic even in the Middle of a Pandemic. The face to face interaction with the students was greatly missed but being able to send video messages was awesome. The kids and faculty at the school stepped up to the plate once again to show our friends they are not invisible. A $1000 check was hand delivered this week which goes without saying that these Middle School Kids are true Homeless Hero’s! Thank You Wellwood for your big hearts to all those we are serving, we are your hands extended. 

In the mood for some healthy, comfort food that will keep you in fat burn 🔥

Sour Cream Beef Bake 🤤
Makes 6 servings

5 cups cauliflower rice
15 ounces cooked 85-94% lean ground beef
2 Cups In My Fathers Kitchen Taste and See Sauce
1/2 Cup sour cream
1 1/2 Cup 1% cottage cheese
2 Cups reduced fat shredded cheese
1/2 Cup green onion
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 350.
Place the cauliflower rice in a 2.5-quart baking dish. Microwave 4-5 minutes or until tender but not mushy.
After cooking, set aside (leave in the casserole dish).
In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, 7-10 minutes.
Drain and stir in the IMFK Taste and See Sauce, salt, and pepper.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the cottage cheese and sour cream. Mix in the sliced green onions.
Pour the sour cream mixture into the cauliflower rice (that’s in the casserole dish) and mix well.
Pour half of the beef mixture over the cauliflower rice mixture.
Spread with the back of a spoon to even. Top with 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
Repeat with the remaining beef mixture and cheese, ending with the cheese.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Eating With A Purpose
Taste and See

Collaboration is a big part of what needs to happen to assists our friends outdoors. We received a call from Rescue Mission for assistance with a gentleman they were assisting who needed medical attention. Doctor Lehmann was ready to assist and the connection was made to help this man. The info we received was that he had a leg abscess that had maggots invading the wound. When we arrived Doc looked at the leg cleaned it up and bandaged it, when he was done our new friend said that his foot was worse than his leg. When Doc pulled off the sock we were met by dozens of maggots crawling around a little pinky toe wound. Doc was able to clean out the area disinfect and assess the wound. Our friend had a bone from his pinky exposed and didn’t even realize it. Doc later explained to us that because of our friends severe addiction to alcohol that he now suffers from alcohol neuropathy. What is Alcohol Neuropathy? Alcoholic neuropathy involves coasting caused by damage to nerves that results from long term excessive drinking of alcohol and is characterized by spontaneous burning pain, hyperalgesia and allodynia. Once area was clean and bandaged we were able to provide new socks, sneakers and antibiotics. Doc will be visiting him next week to discuss follow up care with our friend regarding this serious condition. We at IMFK will work with any organization that is willing to assist any of our friends outdoors. Relationship building is important with our friends outdoors but relationship building with organizations is vital as well so we can assist our friends with a higher level of care.