Interfaith effort keeps this Soup Kitchen cookin'

Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany, which established its Soup Kitchen on Easter Sunday 1985, provides 100 meals to clients each Sunday at St. Patrick's Church in Albany. A $50,000 renovation project now underway should improve the Soup Kitchen, an interfaith effort with 400 volunteers.

"I think that's unique," said Ron Miller, coordinator. "I don't think we've heard of anything similar where you have so many different denominations working toward a goal of helping people in need. Our volunteers go well beyond our congregational members. They include people in the community who've heard about it."

Genesis

The Soup Kitchen was founded by Jack Sissman, chair of Beth Emeth's Social Action Committee. Mr. Miller became coordinator in 1988, and a steering committee was formed to oversee its operation and ensure its effectiveness during his first three years in charge. He returned in 1996.

The Soup Kitchen includes volunteers who work as crew chiefs, bread brigade, clean team or galley cooks each Sunday. Volunteers begin working at 11 a.m. in preparation for lunch at 12:30 p.m., which typically consists of soup, entree, bread, salad, fruit, pastry and beverage.

Feeding the crowds

The average number of meals has increased by 12 percent from 1996-97 to 1998-99, with 8,000 meals served in 1999.

While many of the volunteers are from Beth Emeth, other community members also help, including people from the Hindu Society of Albany.

Blessing

"On the practical side, it means people are being fed another day every week, so that's a great thing," he said. "For us, it's been a process of growth to be able to work with the Jewish community and experience their kindness and devotion to the poor."

The Soup Kitchen has been recognized for its work by the Interfaith Social Action Coalition, an Albany County ecumenical group, and Albany Catholic Family and Community Services.

Celebration

Among those who attended from St. Patrick's were Father O'Connor, who gave the Benediction during the service; Sister Mary Rehfuss, CSJ, St. Patrick's minister of adult spirituality; and Rev. Frank Gilchrist, a retired priest in residence at St. Casimir's Church in Albany who has helped with fund-raising for the Soup Kitchen's renovation.

(05-04-00) [[In-content Ad]]