Online campaign raises $12K so far for soup kitchen

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN

An online fundraising campaign started Saturday raised more than $12,000 in less than 30 hours for the Mahoning County St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The effort, started by users of Fark, an online news aggregator, quickly pulled together the effort on indiegogo.com in a show of defense to combat the backlash facing the society and its president, Brian J. Antal.

Antal faced criticism late last week from some donors who threatened to stop making contributions to the soup kitchen because of the way he responded to a visit from Republican vice-presidential-nominee Paul Ryan, whom Antal said “ramrodded” his way into the kitchen without permission for an impromptu photo opportunity.

But late Sunday, the fundraising effort had already gathered $12,125, far surpassing the goal of $10,000. Despite meeting the fundraising goal, organizers will keep the campaign going for 42 more days before turning the proceeds over to the soup kitchen.

Reached by The Vindicator on Friday, Antal said dozens had called the society to say they would stop contributing, but he added that in the same time those calls were overtaken by others showing support.

“Thank you to all that are supporting the hard work of our volunteers and helping the 100,000 individuals we serve annually,” Antal wrote in a statement on indiegogo.com over the weekend.

The faith-based society receives some federal funding, but mostly relies on private contributions to maintain its current level of service.

Ryan visited the soup kitchen on Oct. 13 after a woman who coordinates the dining hall gave him permission. Antal, who was unaware of the visit when it happened, said it was inappropriate for a politician to use the soup kitchen for a “publicity stunt.”

The news quickly went national, which left Antal dealing with mixed reactions from the public throughout the last week.

Those wishing to donate in the campaign can go to indiegogo.com/projects.