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ECUMENICAL EFFORT

Amsterdam soup kitchen has found a new home

Despite the closure of St. Casimir's Church in Amsterdam, its soup kitchen lives
on.

Known as AMEN - "All Ministries Embracing Need" - the soup kitchen had been located in St. Casimir's since its inception in 2001. After the closure of the church in April, the soup kitchen moved to St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, also in Amsterdam.

"St. Luke's has been tremendous," said Christine Andrzejczyk, founder and director of AMEN. "It's been a seamless transition."

Mrs. Andrzejczyk said the soup kitchen is open each Tuesday. Meals are served restaurant-style by volunteers. AMEN also provides clothing and assistance in accessing medical care to persons in need.

All are welcome
From its inception, Mrs. Andrzejczyk said AMEN has been an ecumenical effort. 

Volunteers and donations come from many religious denominations. 

"It's many churches working together," she explained. "We've partnered with many groups."

When St. Casimir's closed as a result of the Called to be Church pastoral planning process, AMEN organizers had hoped to remain in the building. When that wasn't feasible, St. Luke's made its space available.

Mrs. Andrzejczyk said that St. Luke's is handicapped-accessible and that its congregation has long supported the ministry through fundraisers, food drives and volunteering.

Rev. Dr. John Califano, pastor of St. Luke's, said that his congregation is "delighted and humbled to know that this mission could continue here. It's a win-win-win situation."

AMEN has been operating out of St. Luke's since the beginning of May. 

Moving over
While the volunteers have acclimated to the new location, some of the clients are still getting used to the transition. Mrs. Andrzejczyk said that St. Casimir's was located on the east side of the city of Amsterdam while St. Luke's is on the west side. She noted that the change in location was hard on some clients.

"It's been difficult because [St. Casimir's] has been their home," she said. "It's always sad to leave familiar surroundings."

Transportation has also been a concern. Many of the clients walked to the former site. Rev. Califano said that organizers hope to organize transportation in the future. 

"We don't want to leave anyone behind," he noted.

AMEN has served more than 55,000 meals since it began in 2001, Mrs. Andrzejczyk said. On average, they serve between 130 and 180 meals a week. This number increases during the summer, when children attend.

Rev. Califano said AMEN fills an important need in Amsterdam. "This work is truly part of the mission of the Church," he said. "It's a work of mercy to feed the hungry."

(06/04/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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