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GLOVERSVILLE FUNDRAISER

Town replaces stolen donations to keep filling empty stomachs

The volunteers who staff Friday's Table, a program at Sacred Heart Church in Gloversville, are used to serving free meals to the community. 

But, when their donation box was burglarized a few weeks ago, the result was the community serving them.

Friday's Table has been going on for 13 years at Sacred Heart Church in Gloversville, which merged with St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in July. The parish will officially take its new name, Holy Spirit, in October. Eight volunteer teams prepare and serve a meal every Friday for anyone in need - often as many as 60 people.

The teams of parishioners have made the program a staple at Sacred Heart, as have parishioners who donate to the program through special offertory envelopes.

"It's a great sign of the Church's work" in Gloversville, said Rev. Czelusniak, pastor. 
"There's just a great commitment from the community to support it."

Friday's Table also leaves a donation box at Sacred Heart, which the volunteers usually empty every week. When the donation box was robbed in August, there was no way to know how much money had been in the box.

A couple of weeks later, John McDonough and his wife, who help with Friday's Table, were eating breakfast at Chef Lomanto's Market in Gloversville when they began chatting with owner John Lomanto.

They all agreed that a fundraising dinner to benefit Friday's Table would be a nice event, but initially, "I had no idea about the theft," said Mr. Lomanto. "I didn't know it was about replacing funds."

Nonetheless, the fundraiser turned out to be a great success. Within a week and a half, 30 reservations had been made - a few more than the restaurant can actually hold. Many people even contributed more than the $27.50 it cost to reserve a seat.

"They rallied behind the cause," said Mr. Lomanto.

Mr. McDonough attributed the success of the event to the impact Friday's Table has on the Sacred Heart community.

"It's a very popular local work of mercy in our church," he said. "It is a well-supported ministry. It does say a lot about the support the program has in the church."

At the fundraiser, diners enjoyed paella, salad, Italian bread, homemade gelato or tiramisu and espresso. 

"People were happy and very upbeat and the food was very good," Mr. McDonough remarked.

The fundraiser was a boost for the restaurant's business, as well: "It was great," enthused Mr. Lomanto. "We had some people who came in for the fundraiser that had never been here before and now they come in for their lunch, breakfast and other meals."

The fundraiser raised $375, far more than what had been stolen.

"We're very happy that we received such great support from our parishioners for Friday's Table," said Mr. McDonough.

"When there was a theft, the church really came together," added Father Czelusniak. "They wanted to re-supply that ministry."

(09/10/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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