On a calm October evening in Chicago, successful real estate investor Richard Evans sat alone at Marlowe’s, a Michelin-starred bistro, ready to enjoy a quiet meal. Known for his polished exterior and mysterious private life, Evans was interrupted by an unexpected voice — a barefoot girl named Emily, asking if she could eat with him. Her eyes revealed a deeper hunger than food alone could fix. The restaurant froze in silence, but Evans invited her to sit and eat.
As Emily devoured her meal, Evans gently asked about her situation. She explained that her father had died, her mother had left, and her grandmother — her last guardian — had recently passed away. She had been completely alone. Evans listened quietly, his expression stoic, but inside, her story reopened old wounds. He, too, had once been homeless and forgotten, not far from where they now sat.
In a surprising moment of compassion, Evans offered Emily a place to stay. He promised her food, safety, and schooling — if she was willing to work hard and respect his home. Despite gasps from onlookers, she accepted. Evans brought her to his upscale townhouse, but Emily struggled to trust comfort. She hoarded food, slept on the floor, and remained on edge.
Instead of scolding her, Evans made her a promise: she would never be hungry again. Over time, that promise held true. Emily grew into a confident young woman. She excelled in school and earned a full scholarship to Columbia University. Their bond deepened. One night before she left for college, Evans opened up about his past, revealing that her pain mirrored his own — and that she had reminded him how to feel again.
Years later, Emily became valedictorian and founded “The Can I Eat With You? Foundation,” focused on helping homeless children. Richard Evans, her father in all but blood, pledged a third of his estate to the cause. Their story inspired national attention and countless acts of generosity.
Every October 15th, they return to Marlowe’s — not to dine, but to feed hungry children, honoring the night that changed both of their lives forever.
