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 Public Charter School
Adventist Healthcare, Inc/Ridge School
ALIVE!, Inc.
Amidon-Bowen ES, SW DC
AMURT/Food for All DC
Anacostia New Tech High School
Archbishop Carroll High School
Asbury United Methodist Church
BARD High School Early College DC
Basilica of National Shrine
Bible Study Church
Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive
Brightwood ES
CASA in VA (Woodbridge)
Calvin Coolidge HS
Catholic Charities - Fortitude DC
Catholic Charities - FRSP Homeless and Housing SVCS
Catholic Charities - Kennedy Institute
Catholic Charities - MoCo Family Center
Catholic Charities - Parish Partners
Catholic Charities - Strong Family Initiative Program
Center City
Central Union Mission, Comprehensive Family Resource Center
Centro Nia
Centro Nia - Takoma Park
Christ Child, Girls on the Rise
Christ Child, Layette Program
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
Church of God Prophecy/MONTEL
Church of Great Anointing
Church of the Nativity, Burke VA
City Gate/Johenning Baptist
City of Praise Center of Hope Food Pantry
Cleveland Elementary School
Crossway Communities
CW Harris
DC Baptist Convention
DC Dept of Parks and Rec (DPR)
DC Legendary Musicians
DCPS, Risk of Graduating Group/New Heights

Don Boscoe Cristo Rey High School
East Washington Heights Baptist Church
Eastern Senior High School
Edified Body of Christ Church
Eglise Batiste du Calvaire, Adelphi MD
Evangel Cathedral
Father McKenna House
Father Michael's Mission
First Rising Mt Zion Baptist Church/Helping Hands
FRESH
Fort Foote Baptist Church, Food Pantry
Friendship Southeast Academy (PCS)
Garnet-Patterson STAY Opportunity Academy
Heaven's Helpers Ministry
Hendley Elementary School, DCPS
Holy Cross Woodmore Dialysis
Holy Name of Jesus Parish Catholic Church
Horeb 7th Day Adventist
Immaculate Conception
Isle of Patmos Baptist Church
JO Wilson Elementary School
Kayla's Village
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's Center for Child Care
Mary House
McKinley Tech Education Campus (Middle School)
Miriams Kitchen
Missionary Ministry, Greater New Hope Baptist Church
Montgomery County Jail
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
Mother Dear's Community Center
Mt. Sinai Baptist Church

National United Methodist Church/Campus Kitchen
Neighbors of Seaton Place
New Mount Calvary Missionary Church
Noah's Ark
Our Lady Perpetual Help, Ladies of Charity
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Purity Baptist Church and Urban Center
Push4Greatness, Inc.
Rocketship Infinity Community Prep
Ron Brown High School
Roosevelt High School
Rosemont Center
Roscoe C. Cartwright Lodge #129
Sarah Allen Missionary Society, Food Bank; Missionary Society of Metropolitan AME Church Food Bank Ministry
Second Chance Outreach Ministries Inc.
SHARE, Dundalk MD
Shirley Chisholm ES (old Tyler ES)
Smothers ES
So What Else
Solid Rock Church/Metamorphosis Community Project
SOME
Sousa Middle School
St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
Susie Crowder Owens Food Bank; Family Life Community Center
The Third Street Church of God
There's HOPE Here
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
United Methodist Men of Randall Memorial United Meth Church
Victory Youth Center
Ward Memorial African Meth./Epis. Church
Washington Jesuit Academy (Direct Pickup)
Washington National Cathedral
WB Patterson
Wheatley Educational Campus

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