Russo’s Gourmet Catering to Host World Cup Party to BenefitSt. Louis Roadies Homeless Soccer Team!

ST. LOUIS (June 14, 2010) 

Doug Carter was homeless on and off for the past several years in St. Louis.  While participating in a transitional housing program at Peter & Paul Community Services, Doug learned about the agency’s street soccer team, the St. Louis Roadies.  He never thought a ball could change his life but three years later he has his own place, a part-time job and is pursuing a Missouri Commercial Driver’s license in order to supplement his income as a cab driver.

“Looking back now, I was just tired of being tired, tired of losing jobs and moving from place to place. I remember one winter sleeping out in a tent behind an abandoned building downtown with a couple other guys.  One of the guys at our camp froze to death.  He had been there throughout the winter and rarely got out of the cold when the weather was really bad.  It finally caught up with him.  It was really sad. I continued to work with Peter & Paul staff on my résumé and stayed involved with the soccer team.  I have no idea as to why, but the coaches and players chose me as team captain.   I was pretty happy about that.  Through it all I’ve kept my faith. I’m actually proud of myself and where I am now.  I’ve come a long way.”

Since joining the Roadies Doug has competed at the national level in Kansas City at the Midwest Invitational and Washington D.C. for the USA Street Soccer Cup.  This summer he will travel with the team to Washington D.C. to compete against homeless street soccer teams from 16 other cities.  Organizers of the USA Street Soccer Cup will choose 8 players to represent the United States in the Homeless World Cup in Rio De Janiero in the fall.

Doug is not the exception. Internationally, 77% of participants in Street Soccer programs make a significant life changes such as moving off the street, or pursuing further education.

With 800,000 people homeless on any given night in the US, homelessness is a widespread and worsening national problem.

Pat Bettis at Russo's Gourmet Catering first heard about the St. Louis Roadies from a friend. 

“I heard about the Roadies and wanted to do something fun that would incorporate the World Cup.  I got in touch with Joe Campanella who heads up the coaching staff for the Roadies and spoke to the folks at Russo’s about a fundraiser and a demo match.  The idea kind of took off from there.”

The Roadies take on employees of World Wide Technologies, one of the event’s sponsors, in a demo match on Friday, June 18 at 7 p.m.  The day includes World Cup matches, great food and drinks and live music!

Date/Time:         Friday, June 18, 2010/3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. Demo Match)

Venue:                    Spazio’s at Westport

Tickets:               Call 314.427.4955   ($25 advance $30 at the door)

About Peter & Paul Community Services:
Peter & Paul Community Services is the nonprofit agency committed to the most difficult-to-help homeless population - those who are chronically homeless.  Cases involving severe mental illness, HIV/AIDS, or drug or alcohol addiction for those who have refused or been denied help by other programs. Begun in 1981 as a seasonal shelter, Peter & Paul Community Services (PPCS) today manages three transitional housing programs, an emergency shelter, and a meals programs serving over 1500 unduplicated clients annually. PPCS offers shelter, food, psychiatric care, job skills training, help for chemical addictions, and a welcoming community for those who are  lonely.  Over 1000 volunteers donate approximately 8000 hours of service each year.  More on the web at www.ppcsinc.org.

About Russo’s Gourmet Catering:

Founder Matthew Russo started with only three employees and opened Aferamec Cafeteria in the 1950’s. The family’s most recent business expansion includes their newest banquet facility "Russo's Spazio at Westport," which opened in the fall of 2001. Spazio, located in Creve Coeur, features a formal ballroom with Venetian decor and the adjacent Garden and Bistro Rooms offer a more casual setting for any type of private banquet.  More on the web at www.russogourmet.com.