Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen

Family

Jun 19

This summer, as families look for meaningful ways to connect and give back, Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan offers a gentle and powerful introduction to the issues of hunger, homelessness, and compassion through the eyes of a child.

Based on the author’s own experiences volunteering at a real soup kitchen, the story follows a young boy who spends a day helping his Uncle Willie prepare and serve meals to people in need. Along the way, he meets a wide range of individuals—parents, children, seniors—who rely on the soup kitchen not because they’ve done something wrong, but because they’ve fallen on hard times. What begins as a visit filled with uncertainty turns into a day of understanding, empathy, and discovery.

At HomeAid, our mission is to build new lives for individuals and families experiencing homelessness through construction, community engagement, and education. Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen aligns beautifully with our work, showing young readers that everyone deserves dignity, support, and a second chance. The book opens the door to conversations about how communities care for their most vulnerable members—and how we all, regardless of age, can make a difference.

A Family Conversation Starter

This book is an excellent tool for families to explore important questions together:
Who are the people we see experiencing homelessness or hunger in our community?
What does it mean to serve others?
Why is it important to treat every person with kindness and dignity?

After reading, families might consider:

Volunteering together at a local shelter or food pantry
Donating items such as hygiene kits, clothing, or school supplies to a HomeAid affiliate
Supporting HomeAid’s mission by learning about upcoming community care days or local projects

In Closing

Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen is more than a story—it’s an invitation to act with empathy. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver, this book offers a gentle and hopeful way to introduce young readers to the realities of poverty while inspiring a lifelong habit of compassion and service.

This summer, we encourage families to read together, talk together, and find new ways to help build a world where everyone has a place to call home.