Add a Meal to the Table

Add a Meal to the Table is not just the slogan of a fundraiser which, as you can easily imagine, allows hundreds of meals to be donated to those in need , is also the synthesis of an extraordinary collaboration involving dozens of voluntary associations. But let's take a small step back in time.

It was 2015 when Don Marco Casale, an enlightened priest from the diocese of Varese, decided to expand his already very active work of assistance to less well-off people, with a proposal that surprised most of the city volunteers. He was tired of seeing families, elderly people, young unemployed people rummaging through rubbish bins with the hope of finding something edible to eat, after days and days of forced fasting. And so, in addition to the structures that he continued to manage with the same purpose, he proposed to organize a large community event which, for the first time, would see all the associations in the province of Varese participate and collaborate, without exception. It didn't matter what their mission was, which evidently could never have coincided, it only asked to unite and work together. But he didn't want the non-profit organizations in question to give up their identity and their objectives, he just hoped to be able to make them understand that together they could achieve much more results, while also giving a clear message of love and sharing. The initial distrust quickly gave way to the planning and, immediately afterwards, the realization of the first event. It is not important what the content of this event was, but the result that came from it is astonishing. Since that day, every year, fifty associations collaborate with each other with a single common goal, demonstrating the fact that Good shuffles the cards, overturns plans, and forces us to never close the door of listening. Over the years Don Marco has expanded the team by adding different players; he called local companies, commercial activities, freelancers, institutions, and this made it possible to quickly multiply the fundraising and, consequently, the guaranteed meals. His vision quickly brought the project to very important figures, capable of guaranteeing thousands of meals, as well as real support for the people who requested it.

Don Marco is a street priest, one of those who lives by living the Gospel of Christ, and who is often attacked by those who consider his concern for the trend of the world exaggerated, but without never leave the comfort in which they are used to being. He gets his hands dirty, embraces the needs, and looks for a way, any way, to solve them. It doesn't matter if it is tiring or difficult to achieve, Don Marco lives, listens and loves. This year, Add a Meal to the Table has reached its eighth edition and Piazza San Vittore, home to the marvelous Bernascone bell tower but also to the event, has once again been filled with willing, interested, committed, open to meeting and available to listen, but also simply to curious people who, most likely, will join the rest of the group next year.
During the event, the tireless don continued to spread his messages with the simplicity of someone who understood that none of us can live alone, also launching provocations to the institutions which are often unable to face the emergencies that arise they manifest themselves on their way, and with the sole hope of reaching the hearts of those present, the only place within which dialogue with God can be transformed into concrete and tangible action. Don Marco represents the church I like; that of sincerity, passion, the example to follow and the gift as a life project, and far from everything that over the years has caused the house of God to lose credibility.

He is the true church, as are many others with the same values as him, and as we should be too. The eighth edition of "Add a Meal to the Table" ended with an extraordinary collection, which will allow thousands of people to eat, and this can only hearten me, even if, within me, a pressing question remains that may seem obvious, but believe me it isn't at all: «Is it possible that in 2023, in a country like ours, people who don't have anything to eat (...and it's already absurd!) still have to hope in the actions of men like Don Marco? Is it possible?”


Max Laudadio
NP October 2023