Inmates help the homeless

By KALEA HALL | khall@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Multicolored handmade hats and scarves stood out among other clothing items available to those grabbing lunch at the St. Vincent de Paul Society on Thursday.

The crocheted pieces were completed with care, as if a longtime crocheter with a penchant for perfection made them.

But these pieces actually were made by three self-taught inmates at the Ohio State Penitentiary.

“It’s vital,” said Wayne Murray, manager at the Front Street dining hall, of the collaboration with OSP and other organizations and businesses.

Last year, yarn was donated to OSP by the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. The inmates then made scarves, hats and ear warmers for the needy.

In total, there were 109 hats, 25 scarves and 20 ear warmers made by the inmates for the those eating at the society’s dining hall.

“It gives them something to do while they are in their cells, and they feel good about giving back to the community,” said Laura Gardner, the warden’s assistant and public information officer at the penitentiary.

The inmates were not allowed to hand out the items because of their high security levels, so six OSP staff members came to the hall to pass out the handmade pieces.

This is the first time OSP has collaborated with the dining hall. Next, the inmates will be crocheting hats for babies in the neonatal intensive-care unit.

“We do a lot with the inmates,” Gardner said.

There is a list of other organizations where the staff from OSP spends time, including Relay for Life, Toys for Tots and the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley.

At the soup kitchen, where an average of 160 are served lunch on weekdays, the support from outside organizations goes back to those in need.

Murray said there recently has been a lot of donations of food, clothing and blankets.

There’s a clothing giveaway every Thursday at the dining hall.

The dining hall recently had several donations of meat and vegetables, so Thursday’s lunch was a traditional potluck-style. After a warm meal, those at the dining hall moved on to check out the crocheted pieces and other clothing items.

“We have the support,” Murray said. “The support has been incredible.”