October 9, 2024 | A Note From Clint
Matthew 25 Remembers Philip Hamilton
In Groundswell, Philip found a way to put his deep yearnings for food justice, equity and authentic friendships to work.
On September 28, Matthew 25 held a Celebration of Life service for Philip Hamilton, our beloved recent Director of Groundswell Cafe. Philip died unexpectedly in his sleep from a sudden health event on August 26 at the young age of 37. Friends, family and Matthew 25 team members gathered to share stories and food while remembering the amazing person Philip was and all that he brought to this world in his too-short time here.
Before joining the Matthew 25 team, Philip lived a variety of unique experiences ranging from working at an orphanage in Peru, to being a hospice volunteer, to doing stand-up comedy. After graduating from culinary school, he spent 10 years as a sous chef in New Orleans and North Carolina working with James Beard Award-winning chefs.
Philip came to Matthew 25 as our Volunteer Coordinator following the derecho in 2020. In that role, Philip worked with hundreds of families during one of the most difficult times in their lives to fix their damaged housing. He would later transition into the role of Groundswell Director, putting to use his years of culinary training and experience. In Groundswell, Philip found a way to put his deep yearnings for food justice, equity and authentic friendships to work.
Philip believed in his core that everyone has gifts and value, and that high quality, healthy food should be available to all. At Groundswell, he would take time to get to know members of the unhoused community, their names, their struggles, and their talents and abilities. He saw food and breaking bread together as a vehicle of community building and was always ready to make a meal for anyone who needed it.
“Philip was the quintessential servant leader, always ready to jump in and help everyone he could,” recalls Rev. Clint Twedt-Ball, executive director of Matthew 25. “He was equally as comfortable talking to those living on the streets as those working in corner offices. In true Matthew 25 spirit, he often talked about the things he’d learned from the most financially destitute in the cafe and how much he appreciated them. In his all too short time at Matthew 25, Philip had an outsize impact, befriending many and helping them to feel seen and heard. It was a gift to spend time with Philip. We will miss his grace, compassion and justice-oriented love for all.”
Philip also loved his family deeply. At the end of July, he left Matthew 25 to move back to his hometown of L.A., so that he could be closer and more present to his family, especially his mother Grace, sister Kate, and his one-and-a-half-year-old niece Sloane. He had been living in L.A. for a few weeks when he passed on August 26th. The day before he died, Philip went into the center of L.A. to visit with homeless residents because he knew they needed to be seen and heard. That night, he told Kate he had joy in his heart from the experience.
At Philip’s service, Kate reflected on his beliefs and what his time here at Matthew 25 meant to him. “He shared with me his ideas about social justice and his life’s philosophy that before we worry about food as art, we should worry about just making sure people are fed.” She continued, “In this place, with this community, he made his meaning and was able to integrate his beliefs and actions, and for this I will be forever grateful to you. How lucky that he was able to discover this conviction about his value in this world and what he could offer. Though this is unimaginably difficult, I do find comfort in knowing that he found his passion and was living his joy. I have so much gratitude to everyone here at Matthew 25 for being a part of his community, and now forever a part of our family’s community as well. Thank you.”
Philip’s family and Matthew 25 are honoring his legacy with the creation of the Philip Hamilton Pay-It-Forward Endowed Fund. This fund will permanently support the pay-it-forward program at Groundswell Cafe. To date, more than $22,000 has been raised for this fund. Contributions can be given on our website or by sending a check to Matthew 25, 201 3rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 and putting Philip Hamilton Fund in the memo line.
Philip and Groundswell Cafe appeared in an episode of the PBS show Iowa Life earlier this year. Check it out >>
Philip’s mother put together a lovely tribute for his high school and has given us permission to share it here. Click here to read her tribute >>