Albany parish has many ways of reaching out to community

It's an early Wednesday afternoon, which means volunteer Nornie Slingerland is poised above a boiling pot in the basement of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Albany, cooking lunch for the guests of its weekly Friendship Table.

"Seems like I ended up here one day, and -- well, I've always been here," said the longtime Sacred Heart parishioner, who serves as the lead cook.

The Friendship Table is one of Sacred Heart parish's outreach ministries to its North Albany neighborhood. Each Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the basement doors open for a free meal, cooked and served by Sister Sara Kirsch, CSJ, the parish's outreach director, and a half-dozen volunteers.

Welcome to all

One recent afternoon, around 20 guests were being served at their tables by volunteers in red aprons stitched with "Sacred Heart" in white thread.

They bustled quickly around the area, bringing the meals, seconds and desserts. The guests, primarily African-Americans and Hispanics, include laborers, elderly parishioners, the homeless, a few young couples and other groupings.

"No lines, no waiting," quipped volunteer Barbara Danner. She is a five-year veteran who previously volunteered at the St. John/St. Ann's Welcome Table in the South End of Albany for 12 years.

"It's a wonderful way to serve," said Carol Rheil-Breault, another volunteer and a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church in Loudonville.

Working poor

The North Albany neighborhood of the parish consists of many renters who have moved into spaces vacated by families that have graduated to the suburbs.

"They are working poor who can't afford the rent in Albany," said Sister Sara, whose position is funded through Sacred Heart and Albany diocesan Catholic Charities. "More and more, we're seeing that. They say, 'I have a job; but I'm sorry, I have to use the pantry.'"

Over the last four months, 1,400 meals have been served at the Friendship Table through grants from the Regional Food Bank, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and nearby parishes that send regular donations, such as St. Joan of Arc and St. Pius X in Loudonville. The core group of volunteers come mostly from Sacred Heart and St. Joan, both of which are pastored by Rev. Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah.

Increasing need

Neighbors also take advantage of the outreach center's programs, which also include a food pantry and clothing drives.

The number of people served spikes during the holidays and in the summer, when children are out of school. Kids who usually qualify for free meals at their schools may not have the same options during the summer months.

The onset of winter brings an increase of activity for the outreach center: Drives for underwear, socks, mittens and hats are underway, as well as for food baskets that will go to families at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Pitching in

Sister Sara said that she "would not be able to do this program without volunteers and donations. If I'm not here, this goes on; the volunteers have taken ownership of this."

Mrs. Slingerland's family are longtime parishioners at Sacred Heart, and volunteering is a family affair. Well into her nineties, her mother, Alice Brady, worked at the Friendship Table.

"I like it here, and I like the people," Mrs. Slingerland said. "Sister Sara needs our help. That's why we're here, and she doesn't need to ask us twice."

Lots of action

In the back corner, while meals are served, two public health nurses conduct a free, once-a-month blood pressure clinic for the kitchen's guests. Once a month, the guests also can receive medical guidance.

"We try to talk health with them, refer them to physicians where they can access medical help and offer them options where they can get free or low-cost medical care," explained Meg Maney. She is a registered dietician, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament parish in Albany and an employee of the Albany County Department of Health.

By making a regular circle of area soup kitchens, she and her co-workers are able to track the progress of many of the Friendship Table regulars.

"We get to know them," said her co-worker, Kate O'Brien, a registered nurse who is member of St. Teresa of Avila parish in Albany.

"Word of mouth is the way it spreads," Sister Sara said. "Word spreads, and the crowd multiplies."

(11/25/04)