John Tumino

We met Chris on the streets of Syracuse in the summer of 2020 while he was living under a bridge. Over the last three years, we loved on Chris with unconditional love (on the streets it’s called no strings). We were able to feed him, cloth him, and provide him with medical care through our partners at Housecalls for the Homeless. It has been a long journey, Chris was also a participant in our Hire Ground program that gives our homeless friends an opportunity to work and escape the grind of living outdoors. While on the work van, we are able to dive a little deeper into someone’s story with our care managers. During the work day, we find out many interesting stories as well as the real personalities of our friends. Chris had a huge personality, he was funny, loud, and intense at times. He was a straight shooter and would weave a great story. We were able to assist Chris into housing in the month of September with a wonderful collaboration of many agencies. Once housed we filled his fridge with groceries as well as provide him with items he needed, like a coffee maker, microwave, and hotplate. On November 10th, 2023 we received a call from Chris’s sister stating that he passed away. Chris was found in his apartment unconscious from an overdose. The paramedics tried for an hour to bring Chris back unfortunately to no prevail. We met the family at the apartment to go through Chris’s belongings, the family gave us the Bible that Chris used when attending churches in the area. We remember times when Chris was outdoors and wanted us to pray for him, we would and we would always encourage him that there was a better way. The family did a candlelight vigil in front of his apartment and we were able to encourage the whole family that Chris was never alone. When going through his Bible two verses were highlighted and written on an index card. The first one was Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. The second scripture was 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become brand new. I know Chris is in our future, and we will all miss him greatly but one thing I know, Chris is no longer in pain he is rejoicing in Heaven. So what do we do with the pain of Chris”s passing? We use it as fuel to continue to do the work of serving all those who feel Invisible. If you would like to attend the memorial service you are all welcome.

Christopher Michael Jarvis, age 51, a Syracuse native, died on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Chris was born on August 29, 1972. The son of Dianna and James Cornell, he was a skilled contractor and painter. Chris was always the life of the party. He enjoyed fishing and was a cat-lover. He was a passionate fan of Dale Earnhardt and Dale, Jr. You could always find him watching his favorite team play, the Dallas Cowboys.

He was preceded in death by his dad, James and brother, John Hagg.

Chris is survived by the love of his life for 30 years, Tina Jarvis; two sisters, Ann Martin (Bob) and Regina Filicia (Joe); Aunt, Roseanne Klein; two nieces, Amy Hagg and Angelica Martin; two Nephews, Johann Hagg and Bobby Martin. He will also be remembered fondly by several cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, friends, and acquaintances.

A celebration of Chris’s life will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 4 pm-7 pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 705 North Main Street, North Syracuse 13212, with a service to follow at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to In My Father’s Kitchen, 501 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13203.

Our dear friend makes it onto the medical van where Doc and His Student do their specialty, they bring value and compassion through medical relief. Leland’s nails were in bad shape and Doc was able to bring relief by trimming them down and setting up an appointment for a true foot soaking with follow-up treatment. Just think it starts with an idea for a meal that leads to conversation and then turns into medical care! This can happen only because of your continued generosity through your faithful partnership and monthly contributions.  As we approach the year-end please prayerfully consider making a donation to continue this wonderful outreach. 

Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives 

It’s a cold November afternoon and we are getting ready to hit the streets of CNY with Love, food, and Medical Care! The planning all starts the night before when we contemplate what the menu will be for our friends. The lunch item that comes to our mind is shepard pie, what is shepard pie?

The original shepherd’s pies were baked in pastry crusts and used leftover roast meat combined with a savory gravy to bring it all together. When the dish made its way from Scotland to Ireland, they skipped the pastry and used their abundance of potatoes instead, creating the modern-day mashed potato topping. Many of our friends on the streets consider us their Pastors and what better lunch to show them we care is by bringing them dignity through this wonderful meal. As JD was assisting our friend Leland he expressed an issue he was having with his foot. The meal opens a door to a conversation that turns into a referral to Dr. Lehmann and Housecalls to the Homeless. The collaboration between our two wonderful organizations is immeasurable.

Our dear friend makes it onto the medical van where Doc and His Student do their specialty, they bring value and compassion through medical relief. Leland’s nails were in bad shape and Doc was able to bring relief by trimming them down and setting up an appointment for a true foot soaking with follow-up treatment. Just think it starts with an idea for a meal that leads to conversation and then turns into medical care! This can happen only because of your continued generosity through your faithful partnership and monthly contributions. As we approach the year-end please prayerfully consider making a donation to continue this wonderful outreach.

Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives

It’s a cold November afternoon and we are getting ready to hit the streets of CNY with Love, food, and Medical Care! The planning all starts the night before when we contemplate what the menu will be for our friends. The lunch item that comes to our mind is shepard pie, what is shepard pie?

The original shepherd’s pies were baked in pastry crusts and used leftover roast meat combined with a savory gravy to bring it all together. When the dish made its way from Scotland to Ireland, they skipped the pastry and used their abundance of potatoes instead, creating the modern-day mashed potato topping. Many of our friends on the streets consider us their Pastors and what better lunch to show them we care is by bringing them dignity through this wonderful meal. As JD was assisting our friend Leland he expressed an issue he was having with his foot. The meal opens a door to a conversation that turns into a referral to Dr. Lehmann and Housecalls to the Homeless. The collaboration between our two wonderful organizations is immeasurable.

Our dear friend makes it onto the medical van where Doc and His Student do their specialty, they bring value and compassion through medical relief. Leland’s nails were in bad shape and Doc was able to bring relief by trimming them down and setting up an appointment for a true foot soaking with follow-up treatment. Just think it starts with an idea for a meal that leads to conversation and then turns into medical care! This can happen only because of your continued generosity through your faithful partnership and monthly contributions.  As we approach the year-end please prayerfully consider making a donation to continue this wonderful outreach. 

Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives 

When we receive messages from community partners regarding the work that we are doing at IMFK it brings joy and pride to our hearts. It’s not only that they are acknowledging the work we do it is more about the community partners saying they SEE our FRIENDS! Here is a message that was sent out on X platform from NYSDOT Central NY

Thanks to our community partners! Recently, necessary repairs were needed on the Bear Street bridge but before that could happen NYSDOT Onondaga West Residency crews partnered with a local not-for-profit In My Father’s Kitchen & Syracuse DPW to clean up garbage & debris from underneath the bridge.

The Hire Ground Program in partnership with Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse is so important. It is so vital to the work we do serving those who feel Invisible, it’s a Hand-up, not a Hand-Out. 

As we move into the end of the year and the Holiday season please consider making a year-end donation or maybe becoming a recurring monthly partner! 
Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives!

Who would have known that today’s lunch would have opened a door to a serious conversation regarding alcohol addiction? A dear friend we were serving today broke down as he started to share with us that he is so tired of the life he is living. He said it feels like the movie “Groundhog Day” every day the same thing over and over again. Our dear friend broke down in tears and said I don’t even have the balls enough to kill myself, I’m just suffering. We listened and encouraged him by letting him know that we were here for him and if he was interested in long-term rehab that we would assist him in getting there. He said yes, so now we will reach out to agencies that can assist us in serving our friend into a victorious transformation. The journey is just beginning and we will be there as much as our friend allows us to be. With your continued support we are the bridge out from under the bridge. Together we are Building Hope and Changing Lives!

Please consider becoming a monthly giver to IMFK