See giving in action

On the Tuesday-before-Thanksgiving, nonprofits and charities arrive at the National Shrine parking lot to pick up their turkeys. They drive through two rows of volunteers, who load boxes into their car.

It’s a joyfully hectic morning and takes place rain or shine!

Poor Robert’s Mission was established in 2015 to continue the charitable work that Bobby Abbo began in 1967, when he, and a few patrons of his family’s Roma Restaurant, decided to raise money for a local charity, Little Sisters of the Poor. 

In light of Bobby's great fundraising success Poor Robert’s Charities, Inc. (PRC) was formally established as a nonprofit corporation in 1981.  Through an annual golf tournament and cocktail party, PRC’s annual fundraising increased meaningfully over the coming years. 

Virtually all of the proceeds from these events were used to provide cash and in-kind grants to a large variety of nonprofit organizations.  PRC distributed turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday and funded costs to purchase transportation vehicles for charitable organizations in the Washington, DC area. 

In April 2014 Bobby passed away from leukemia at the young age of 69, an event that shocked his vast group of beloved friends and family. With Bobby's approval, members of the board approached a “next generation” of individuals to continue the Poor Robert’s charitable efforts. Zachary Huke, Bobby's nephew, assumed the role of President. By 2014, a new company by the name of Poor Robert's Mission obtained 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status from the IRS and the mission was on! 

As a result of the incredible support from the friends of Poor Robert’s, fundraising was a success from the outset and Poor Robert’s Mission was able to distribute over 5,500 turkeys to over 80 local organizations in its first year. Importantly, all of this good work continues to be accomplished without incurring anything but de minimis overhead expense, so financial donations go to those who need it. 

Thanks to Bobby Abbo’s inspiration and the generosity of PRM’s benefactors, friends, supporters and volunteers, we look forward to the growth and prosperity of fundraising activities and grant-giving programs in coming years.

Board of Directors

Carrying on the mission

• Zachary L. Huke / President

• Julie Burke / Director

• Terence Callahan / Director

• James P. Crilley / Director

• Bryan Davis / Secretary

• Luke Joyce / Director

• Matthew Mister / Director

This year’s event changed lives, and would not have been possible without your generosity, enthusiasm, and your willingness to give the gift of hope this holiday season.

Thanks to your efforts, we made the magic of the holiday season a reality for over 600 of our region’s families. That’s right, over 600 families will never forget this year’s priceless moment. Thank you!

Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, 
Associate Minister, Metropolitan AME Church

Achievement Prep
Church of God Prophecy/MONTEL
Church of Great Anointing
Church of the Nativity
City Gate/Johenning Baptist
City of Praise Center of Hope Food Pantry
Crossway Communities
DC Baptist Convention
Don Boscoe Cristo Rey
East Washington Heights Baptist Church
Evangel Cathedral
First Rising Mt Zion Baptist Church
Fort Foote Baptist Church
Johnson MS (John Hayden Johnson)
Noah's Ark
Safe Haven Outreach Ministry Inc
FRESH
Mt. Sanai Baptist Church
new mount calvary missionary church
Our Lady Perpetual Help, Ladies of Charity
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Purity Baptist Church and Urban Center
Ron Brown College Prep HS
Rosemont Center
Second Chance Outreach Ministries Inc.
Smothers ES
Solid Rock Church
SOME
St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

Missionaries of Charity
Miriams Kithchen
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. & A. M.
Mother Dear's Community Center
Mount Gilead Baptist Church
National Children's Center
Neighbors of Seaton Place
C.W. Harris ES
Calvin Coolidge HS
Canaan Baptist Church
Catholic Charities DC
Heaven's Helpers
Immaculate Conception
Isle of Patmos Baptist Church
John Philip Sousa Middle School
Washington Jesuit Academy
Washington National Cathedral
WB Patterson
Wheatley Educational Campus
Apple Tree Early Learning Public Charter School at Achievement Prep
Brightwood Education Campus
Catholic Charities DC - the Compass Program
Catholic Charities DC - St John Vianney Food Pantry (Prince Fred, MD)
Center City Public Charter School - Congress Heights Campus
DC Prep, Benning Campus
JO Wilson Elementary School
Key to Heaven Ministries
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, SE DC

St. Joseph Baptist church
St. Mary's Catholic Church Newport
Theodore Roosevelt SHS
Theodore Roosevelt SHS/STAY
Tyler Elementary School
Victory Youth Center
Walker Jones Education Campus
Alive
Amiden-Brown ES - DC Public Schools
Anacostia Senior High School/Anacostia Academy
Angel's Arena Child Care, LLC
Archbishop Carroll High School
Asbury United Methodist Church
Assumption Outreach Program
Ballou Stay HS
Basilica of the National Shrine of the I.C.
Central Union Mission
Children's Guild, The
Christ Church Alexandria
High Road School, LaPlata MD
KIPP DC, Webb Campus
Latin American Youth Center
Little Sisters of the Poor
Little Workers of Sacred Hearts (JMJ)
Living Wages
Lydia's House, Living Word Church
Mary House
Mary's Center for Child Care
McKinley Tech Education Campus (Middle School)
MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Medstar Health

Thank you again for thinking of all of us at Living Wages. We had wonderful Thanksgiving celebrations all over Southeast DC. Much love and many prayers for all the generous donors.

Sister Betsy and all at Living Wages