Closure of soup kitchen reveals operational woes

The temporary closure this week of the St. Vincent de Paul Society dining hall in downtown Youngstown is both unacceptable and unfortunate.

It’s unacceptable because the desperate among us who depend on the soup kitchen for sustenance – for many their only meal of the day – are being victimized.

And it’s unfortunate because it spotlights the problems that have plagued one of the Valley’s best-known examples of caring and volunteerism.

Brian J. Antal, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Mahoning County, said that the closing Monday was temporary and was due to “unforeseen circumstances.” He announced last night that the hall would reopen Monday.

Nonetheless, this week’s closing is serious and warrants a full-blown investigation by the society.

That’s because long-time manager of the kitchen, Ralph “Skip” Barone, resigned Friday after 13 years in the position and 15 years serving meals to the needy.

About 25 volunteers at the dining hall demonstrated their support for Barone by walking out. They said they would not return until Antal was removed as president of the society in Mahoning County.

The closing left more than 200 people in dire straits on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, however, an anonymous donor came forward with enough money to allow Barone and the volunteers to distribute bag lunches in the parking lot across the street from the kitchen.

But even the actions of a caring individual in our community do not negate the need for a close look at what has been happening on Front Street.

One of the most significant and eye-opening developments occurred in July 2014 when Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley discontinued its relationship with the St. Vincent soup kitchen.

There were several reasons, according to Michael Iberis, long-time food bank executive director, but two stand out because they reflect on the management of the dining hall.

Unpopular policy

The first had to do with a policy put in place by Antal that prohibited individuals who work or volunteer there from eating food offered – even though the food was left over from the day’s serving to clients. That has resulted in waste.

The second, and in our view, most important, reason for Second Harvest’s decision to end its program with the kitchen was the failure of the society to provide an audit of its operations.

“We weren’t pleased with the way the food was used, how the clients were served and with their lack of transparency and fiscal responsibility,” Iberis told The Vindicator this week.

Trust is the heart of any charitable organization because people who lend their support financially or with their time do so in the belief that those in need are the priority.

Indeed, openness is the key to any successful endeavor that strives to assist the less fortunate.

That is why St Vincent’s governing board cannot ignore Iberis’ contention that the lack of transparency and fiscal responsibility at the St. Vincent dining hall contributed to Second Harvest’s decision. Now that it has been made public, there is the danger that support for the soup kitchen will diminish.

The volunteers who walked out with Barone contend that Antal implemented numerous operational changes that they found unacceptable.

For instance, the president stopped the practice of wrapping up a hot meal and sending it to a disabled client if he or she could not make it down to the Front Street hall.

Volunteers say they were told to stop sending meals to the homes of those in need because they were giving away too many, and there wasn’t enough funding to continue the practice.

Antal refused to discuss the upheaval at the soup kitchen, saying it was a “personnel issue.” However, he must know that silence is not golden – given everything that has been said and done.

To be sure, there are other soup kitchens that provide free meals to the needy, but the one in downtown Youngstown has become an integral part of the lives of many people who live in the area.

The investigation into the Front Street kitchen should not only focus on the individuals in charge, but should delve into the management and operational procedures. There is too much at stake.