Carter Galloway
Carter Galloway
Editorial Assistant
Joe Cedillo and his family do not spend their Friday nights like the average person. While some will kick-off their weekend by going out or grabbing dinner, Cedillo and his family drive from Northeast Kansas City down to Washington Square Park. They set up folding tables and pull out stainless steel chafers, as a line begins to form, stretching to the middle of the park.
They are there to serve who they always serve:The unhoused, the less fortunate or those who may not know when they will have their next meal. Cedillo always greets everyone in line, wishing them a good evening and announcing the menu. Friday, March 28 was Italian night. Inside the chafers included an array of choices: Bow tie pasta with creamy alfredo and chicken, thin crust pizza slices, beef livers and red sauce. Not one person served pays for their meal. All they are told: “make sure to save your paper plates for seconds.”
On Friday evenings, all costs are covered by Cedillo or donated by his friends and family. He will spend his entire day preparing, and cooking, to serve the unhoused for one hour of their day. . But, it’s that one hour of eating a home-cooked meal, Cedillo said, which can make their whole week.
Cedillo moved to Northeast Kansas City when he was just four years old and he has continued to serve his community for over 20 years — dedicating his free time to assist those in need. However, the Northeast is not the only location where Cedillo offers assistance. When natural disasters hit along the U.S.border or within Central America, Cedillo said he will drop everything and fly down to begin feeding or helping others.
After working as a court interpreter, Cedillo retired just last month. However, with real estate property, which he shared he is fortunate enough to own within Kansas City and Independence, he continues to receive a majority of the funding for his service.
“I promised God that I would take a percentage of it and give it back,” Cedillo said in an interview, Friday. “I’ve been blessed. My projects have gone well and I thank him, so I give back. So when the time comes that he wants me, I can’t take nothing with me.”
He shared it is also his friends and family who have additionally been a blessing to him. His nieces, nephews and grandchildren all take time out of their days to stop by and give back. Passing by the park, a family-run lunch line is visible, full of kids and adults alike, serving the unhoused — unbothered by any societal stigmas, just seeing them for who they are: People who need help.
“I’m very happy with my family and my friends that help us here,” said Cedillo. “They could be out doing something on a Friday night.”
Martin Simms, a friend and volunteer of Cedillo, provides a great deal of help to the operation. Every Friday, Simms will visit the park and other unhoused individuals to let them know Cedillo will be stopping by soon, so anyone who wants a meal can receive one.
Simms said that while he has previously landed on rough times, he recently found a job and like Cedillo, is grateful. His commitment to his religion and dedication to helping people shines bright within him. Despite finding good fortune in his own life, he said that he will continue to help on Fridays to hopefully aid others into the same position as him.
Cedillo shared that he loves to help out and especially enjoys when those he helps decide to give back themselves, much like Simms. He has been serving at Washington Square Park since August 2024 and said he has been met with nothing but gratitude.
“I really enjoy it more when they give you respect,” said Cedillo. “A lot of people don’t give you respect, but not here at the park. They love to see me here and we love to see them.”
One thing Cedillo said he can always use is volunteers. While his family does a bulk of the work, he would love to see more people come out — whether that’s cooking, donations or serving on the food line. He has people reach out from time to time on his Facebook page (Joe Cedillo), but he said he would still like to see a greater influx of people in-person.
Everyone who was served on March 28 are people, just like everyone else. They have hopes, dreams, struggles and problems; However, their continued challenge day-in and day-out is finding a meal for the day.
What is Cedillo’s mission? Let him describe it in his own words.
“My mission?” said Cedillo. “Love.”
Daisy Garcia Montoya
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