Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1920 — Originator of “Bread Line." [ARTICLE]

Originator of “Bread Line."

John Leake, a wealthy New Yorker of Revolutionary days, was responsible for the “dole of bread” distributed weekly by Trinity parish, provision for which he made in his will. A portion of his will said: “T hereby give and bequeath to the rector and vestrymen of Trinity parish, New York city, N. Y„ 1,000 pounds, put out at interest, to be laid out in the annual income in sixpenny wheaten loaves of bread and distributed to such poor as shall appear most deserving.” The dole’s “wheaten bread” has been distributed for 128 years. Originally 18 poor families were provided for, but only 10 are being taken care of now, due to the high cost of living, and the fact that the same time prosperity has reached out into more homes, and there is less need of IL Each family gets from four to six loaves. St. Luke’s chapel parish house has been the scene of the dole for four years, the charity having been distributed before that time from St. John’s chapel. Originally its home was Trinity church, where the poor had to apply for It at the altar after the Sunday service.