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Free meals come with good food, fellowship and prayer
By LINDA M. LINONIS
STRUTHERS
At the community meal offered monthly at Christ Our Savior Parish, diners get more than a good meal, fellowship and a break from routine.
They get prayer, too.
The Rev. Bernard “Bob” Bonnot, pastor, who attends all the dinners, said the idea evolved out of a parish-council meeting and the topic of community outreach. It was in response to the question, “What need can the parish address?” Council members noted people needed help sometimes at the end of the month when funds and food run low, while some would appreciate a place of fellowship.
Alvera Bell, director of spiritual growth at the parish and project coordinator, said the endeavor began its second year this month. She is a member of St. Paul the Apostle Church in New Middletown, which offers St. Paul’s Table of Plenty as part of a Springfield Township Council of Churches project. Free meals are provided by participating churches of different denominations. Bell said she patterned the Struthers parish event after St. Paul’s. She said the dinners follow Pope Francis’ suggestion to “reach out and help.”
At Christ Our Savior Parish, there’s a unique rotation among organizations in St. Nicholas and Holy Trinity churches of the parish and St. Nicholas School. Each takes a month to sponsor, prepare and serve the free dinner.
The meal schedule runs from September to August; 1,400 meals were served during the 2014-15 calendar. This month, the Moms and Dads Club, the parent-teacher organization at St. Nicholas School, served an Italian dinner to a record 221 people. The number usually ranges between 165 and 200. School students colored prayer cards with the message, “We’re praying for you” on the front and other messages such as “bless this meal” on the back.
“This fulfills a need ... whether it be financial at the end of the month, a rough day at work or break from cooking,” Bell said.
The meal is offered from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month. Cars pulled into the parking lot before the starting time, and people filed into the Great Hall. As the dinner got under way, workers performed kitchen duties from dishing out pasta and salad to cutting cakes and putting slices on plates.
Margaret Beniston, president of the Moms and Dads Club, pitched in to wash pots, trays and utensils. “I’m more a worker than a talker,” she said. “This gives people a break from cooking. ... They can sit down and relax with their family.”
She added that students “helping out” showed them the importance of volunteering.
Kelly Loftus, club treasurer, added the prayer cards were a good way to involve students, who were praying for all who attended.
Natalie Finamore, club vice president, said she sees the meals “as a way to bring families together in the community.” She noted students help out by carrying cups and trays for those who can’t manage.
Kirk Sherrill, a first-time volunteer, said he wanted “to set an example” for his daughter, Kaylee, in kindergarten at St. Nicholas. “I’m on noodle duty,” he said.
Glen Welton, whose grandson, Robert Loftus is a St. Nicholas third-grader, said he’s a volunteer from the community. “It’s something to do and nice to help out,” he said. He was monitoring 8 pounds of pasta in a big vat of hot water, which takes about 20 minutes to cook. For the Italian dinner, he cooked about 40 pounds of pasta.
Bell said community residents, seniors from local complexes and residents of Isle Purple Cat are among regular guests. Steve Crisafi, who is on the direct care staff at Matthias group home, said residents like to attend the dinners. “It’s something different to do,” he said. “There’s camaraderie.”