Church Under the Bridge
A church for San Antonio’s homeless
More than 60 community partners invest time, talent, and treasure to purchase, prepare, and serve a balanced
meal three days a week after the worship service.
BY DANA MICHEA MARQUEZ
WRITER
I stepped out of my car on N. Frio and
W. Martin Streets by the railroad tracks
on the edge of downtown San Antonio to
minister. With the many people standing
around this area it was easy to see San
Antonio’s large homeless community. My
heart was broken at the sight.
I was approached by one gentleman.
“Excuse me ma’am, but do you happen to
have any food on you? I am hungry.”
However, before I could answer,
another gentleman interrupted. “If you
go right now, then you can get dinner at
Church Under the Bridge. They have
service first then they feed their congregation.
The dinner is homemade, hot
and fulfilling.”
I looked at the hungry gentleman.
“Do you want a ride?” The man nodded
as he looked back. Approaching was a
woman who came to stand next to him.
“This is my girlfriend,” he said. “Can you
take both of us?”
I nodded to my car. The hungry
couple got in as I put the location into
my GPS. This was the first time I had
encountered Church Under the Bridge,
or CUB.
A city’s census of the homeless is a
difficult number to pin down. Every
January in cities across the nation,
police officers, volunteers, and partner
agencies combine efforts and hit the
streets. As The Beacon goes to press, the
2019 tally is taking place, says KSAT 12.
According to San Antonio and Bexar
County’s “Point in Time Count”
summary report, which gives a
one-night snapshot of the homeless
population in San Antonio each January,
the homeless population rose by 12
percent from 2017 to 2018. Combining
those in shelters and those unsheltered,
this took the total from 2,743 in 2017 to
3,066 in 2018 in our city.
I drove up to CUB, located at 724
Chestnut Street. As the couple and I
entered the building, we were greeted
by one of the many groups that not
only volunteers their time to feed the
homeless, but holds worship services
as well.
Dianne Talbert, Director and Church
“ I truly believe and teach that we were created
for two reasons – to love God with all our heart,
soul and mind, and to love our fellow man.
Church Under the Bridge (CUB) acts on these
principles every single day. Their efforts rely on
the generosity and financial gifts of concerned
people. Feeding and carrying for the less
fortunate is a responsibility we all have. Please
consider becoming a financial
partner to insure CUB remains
strong and effective. The bottom
line is even more changed lives
in our community! ” John Lujan, Vice President – Sistema Technologies
Administrator for CUB explains, “We
have about 60 partners right now. Most
churches’ operating budgets are made
up of tithes and offerings. Our church is
made up of the homeless, so we do not
have the luxury of depending on their
tithes and offerings. The meals, clothing
and hygiene are all 100 percent donated
through our partners and the community.
Partners get on our schedule for one
of the three nights a week that we serve.
They purchase and cook dinner for
about 160 -200 people and then serve the
meal. We operate a licensed commercial
kitchen so we provide a trained food
service manager to assist them.”
CUB was originally founded in 1996
by Pastor Dennis Cawthon who had a
heart for the homeless and was encouraged
further by Community Bible
Church. He began the ministry of providing
church services with food and cloth-
“ Our biggest impact is the opportunity to
mentor, disciple and respond to felt needs
on a consistent basis. This allows us to
develop real relationships that build trust –
thus greater success in helping our
members change their lives for the better.”
– Senior Pastor, Greg Goodrich
12 www.saBeacon.com February 2019
/www.saBeacon.com