Bill and Matt Peck, both parishioners at Saint John Chrysostom in Wallingford, prepared over 7,000 meals in 2023 for people in the Philadelphia region facing food insecurity, writes Gia Myers for Catholic Philly.

Bill, at 95, is in the parish kitchen four days a week by 4 AM. His son Matt, 63, soon joins him. 

They are living Jesus’ call to “feed the hungry” found in Matthew 25.

The food is distributed to partners in Chester and Philadelphia counties, including Caring for Friends, ACCESS community Center in Chester and Saint John’s Hospice.

“Every single thing is prepared by hand.  Their cooking puts flesh on the Gospel message and fills the bellies of those in need,” said Sister Cathy McGowan, SSJ, Director of ACCESS Community Center.

Bill’s wife, Margaret Whelan of Springfield, was providing homecooked meals to hungry people through Aid for Friends (now Caring for Friends) more than 25 years ago.

When his wife passed away in 2011, Bill sold his home and moved in with his son Matt, also a widower.

Inspired by Margaret, they started to cook meals for the needy in the parish kitchen.

It’s estimated they’ve helped thousands of people in Chester alone.

Find out more about the work Bill and Matt Peck are doing in Catholic Philly.