‘Loving them through it’: This couple’s mission is to feed and minister to ‘guests’ in need

By Abby Kirkland / For the Post-Gazette

If you walk by Allegheny Commons Park on the North Side on a Sunday afternoon, you’ll likely see a group of around 100 people sitting at picnic tables laughing and talking while they enjoy their lunch.

In their midst you’ll see Jack and Jennifer Zebo, whose Harvest Street Mission provides meals, gently used clothing, shoes, bedding and personal care items for homeless people on the North Side.

In August, the South Fayette couple received a Circle of Courage Award, which is given by Bynums Marketing & Communications to individuals who have demonstrated faith and courage in their chosen careers. Awards are given in these categories: government, religion, missions, education, business, medicine, art, media, military and sports. The Zebos were given the missions award. 

The couple began volunteering almost 10 years ago with Mission from Mars, a Sunday food distribution program created by Christy Pendarvis and her sons.

“It was a very eye-opening experience to see what’s happening just a few miles from our home,” Mrs. Zebo said.

In 2021, in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pendarvis asked for someone else to take over the mission. 

“If there was a line of potential volunteers, everyone took a step back and we were there,” Mr. Zebo said.

“We stepped out in faith,” his wife added. “Our faith is what drives us.”

March 21, 2021, was the first time the Zebos provided lunches on their own. Only five guests showed up.

“We started slow and were serving 100 people each Sunday within six months,” Mrs. Zebo said. 

Joined by their children — ages 15, 14 and 11 — the Zebos and a group of 10-20 volunteers show up rain or shine each Sunday to minister to the people they call “guests.” 

As others saw the work they were doing, donations started to come in from individuals and organizations. The Zebos decided they wanted to become a 501(c)(3). In April 2022, Harvest Street Mission was born.

Each week, meals are provided by various sports organizations, churches, families and other groups. They sign up to provide food, drinks and utensils and usually stay to serve the meals.

The Zebos set up the tables for over 100 people and distribute clothing and other items. They also take time to pray and give thanks.

“It’s not a pair of new socks that’s saving someone’s life. It’s relationships,” Mrs. Zebo said. 

“We have people that met talking in a grocery store and decided to help,” her husband said. “We had a couple walking by who were Pitt students and came back next week to volunteer.

“People comment on how super smoothly things run, but we are always tweaking it, always trying to make it better,” he said.

Mr. Zebo estimates that 90% of their guests are dealing with high levels of stress. Some have issues with addiction and/or mental health. Sometimes people show up  intoxicated or high on drugs.

“We are about meeting people where they are halfway, judgement-free and loving them through it,” his wife said. “For that hour that they are there, they know they are loved regardless of the decisions they are making in their lives.”

Eating lunch together is a way to help encourage the development of relationships and healing, Mr. Zebo said, noting that he often receives calls from other organizations asking how they can help.

“It’s spreading into the community to network and assist. There is so much happening underneath. ... We are helping to keep them alive or provide them with a safety net.”

“We try to stay in our lane,” his wife added. “Which is love and kindness, meeting people where they are and building a community. We are not a shelter or a treatment program, but we can help connect people with those resources.”

Harvest Street Mission’s board members and volunteers are constantly focused on how they can help make life better for their guests. Mr. Zebo said.

“There are ebbs and flows, ups and downs. For me, the biggest heroes are those who pour their efforts into helping people even when they know a valley is coming.”

For more information, go to harveststreetmission.org or the mission’s Facebook or Instagram pages. 

Abby Kirkland ([email protected]) is a freelance writer who lives in Mt. Lebanon.