Parish's warmth is more than soup

You shiver.

At the top step, you pull on the handle of the door of St. Casimir's Church in Amsterdam, and you quickly step inside to get away from the chill. You know you will have a good meal today because you have arrived at The Soup Kitchen.

Warm soup and friends

As you remove your coat, you are aware of another kind of warmth: Heated air fills the vestibule, and you savor its comfort. The homey smell of roasting turkey reminds you how hungry you are. As your stomach growls, you can't wait to sit down.

Opening its doors for the first time in January, the ecumenical Soup Kitchen is the dream come true of Christine Andrzejczyk, a parishioner of St. Casimir's. In its planning stages for at least a year, the program is formally called The Amen Place ("Amen" being the acronym for All Ministries Embracing Need).

Filling needs and stomachs

The Montgomery County Catholic Charities board member decided to do something about her dream of starting a soup kitchen by approaching the parish council and Sister Roberta O'Rourke, parish life director. She also sent letters to churches and businesses in the area, asking for volunteers and donations for the soup kitchen.

"I wanted to bring everyone together, and St. Casimir's seemed the right place to host the soup kitchen. But hunger and need are non-denominational. They affect all of us," she said.

Ecumenical effort

Local businesses donate equipment, food, fruit, bread and rolls. Damiano Florist contributes fresh flowers for centerpieces on the tables. Volunteers from the participating churches and organizations take turns working in the kitchen. They cook a hot meal that usually includes soup and a main course for lunch.

All the trimmings

Anyone who wishes to come is welcome, not only the homeless but also seniors. And they will find more than food; hospitality and socializing are also on the menu because Sister Roberta and Mrs. Andrzejczyk believe that there are many kinds of hunger.

"Of course, there is the hunger of not having enough to eat and many of these people come here because they are physically hungry," said Sister Roberta. "But there is also the hunger of loneliness, of not having enough money to make ends meet. Many of our elderly are in this situation. Many live alone, their spouses deceased and their children grown and living far away. That's why I believe that this program is such an important one; it feeds the needs of people on many different levels."

Consumers

"I don't have any complaints about this food. I think this is very nice and a good thing that they do here for our community," says Ted, seated across the table from his friend Manny.

Both Ted and Manny have been coming every week since the soup kitchen opened. Although not a parishioner of St. Casimir's, Ted lives just two doors down from the church on the busy, main street of Amsterdam. Manny speaks very little English, but he understands the question, "Why do you come here?"

"The food is very good," he says, smiling.

"I wish they would do this every day. I know that every Tuesday, I will have a nice, hot meal," adds Ted as he digs into his hot turkey sandwich. "This is delicious."

Pitching in

All of the volunteers echo his sentiments. In the kitchen, eight women are busy cutting squares of cranberry sauce, making sandwiches, ladling soup and handing plates to the wait staff. Marilyn Novak, the cook, just smiles when complimented on her culinary expertise.

Violet Jankunas, a parishioner at St. Casimir's, volunteers because she "loves seeing the people and helping everyone out." Arlene Jasper thinks it is a nice way to get together with people and that the program is "long overdue and for a very good cause." Charlotte Nelson from the United Presbyterian Church volunteers as a teacher at Sunday school but wanted to "get into something more."

Full house

"I have been coming since they opened, and I think it is wonderful," says Isabel Bloziecis, who has been a parishioner of the Lithuanian parish for most of her life. She has lots of memories of the 97-year old parish as a young girl; years later, as a young married woman, she returned to St. Casimir's with a new husband.

"My father helped to build up this parish," she notes over the din of voices around her. "He was very much involved with the beginning of this church."

Unable to get around by herself anymore, she is brought to the Soup Kitchen each week by Stephen and Eleanor Czelusniak, friends and parishioners. They enjoy a hot meal with her and other elderly parishioners.

"It's good to get out once a week," said Mrs. Czelusniak. "We don't get to see each other too much during the winter and sharing a meal is a good way to do that."

Accompaniment

As the clock approaches 3, some people get up and put on their coats. Some linger for a second cup of coffee.

"We stop serving at 3 p.m. but will stay here until the last person leaves," said Mrs. Andrzejczyk.

Although finished with their lunch, Ted and Manny have stopped at another table on their way out and are talking to several elderly gentlemen.

Living their faith

Parishioner Angelo Sapone sits nearby, sipping his coffee. "Amsterdam has never had anything like this before," he remarks. "It is important to get out and talk to other people, especially during these cold months. It's so good to spend an afternoon with friends. It sure beats watching the TV."

(For information on The Amen Place program, contact Sister Roberta O'Rourke or Christine Andrzejczyk at 842-5481.)

(03-08-01) [[In-content Ad]]