April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
YEAR OF MERCY
Whitehall parishioners inspired to open 'Mom's Kitchen'
"A lot of people don't want to admit that they can't afford food," explained Mary Simonson of Our Lady of Hope parish in Whitehall.
Mrs. Simonson and her husband, James, helped start the Mother of Mercy soup kitchen, also known as "Mom's Kitchen," in Our Lady of Hope's parish hall.
The couple was inspired after reading the book "33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-it-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration" by Rev. Michael Gaitley, MIC, while Mr. Simonson was completing his Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) class to join the Church two years ago.
Father Gaitley is currently giving talks around the Albany Diocese to encourage consecration to the immaculate heart of Mary, a request by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger for Catholics of the Diocese this Lent (see www.rcda.org and the Bishop's column).
The book prompts people pursuing Marian consecration to perform an act of mercy, so the couple thought about the needs of their community.
"We are a very, very small town. We have very few businesses," Mrs. Simonson said, noting that many area restaurants have closed in the past few years.
Setting up a soup kitchen wasn't as easy as the couple thought it would be, but a year of paperwork "made us appreciate it so much more," Mrs. Simonson said.
Open on Wednesday afternoons, Mom's Kitchen serves more than soup. Each week, there is a hot, homemade meal for patrons, ranging from roast pork and mashed potatoes to chicken and biscuits.
Now that the soup kitchen has been up and running for a few months, the Simonsons are getting into a routine. When a parishioner tells Mrs. Simonson that he or she wants to volunteer, the organizer immediately pulls out her pocket calendar to find a time when help is needed. She then transfers that information onto a large calendar at home.
Several volunteers make and serve the food, while another one mingles and chats with patrons. Donors are reimbursed for providing food if they wish, but the food is often donated: "Some of them won't take it. That's their way of helping, their act of mercy," Mrs. Simonson said.
The food pantry is funded by monetary donations, as well as an ongoing can and bottle drive.
Currently, the Mom's Kitchen serves about 35 people each week, which is a lot for the population-4,035 town of Whitehall.
"It's grown beyond our expectations," said Mr. Simonson, who said he would be pleased if they were able to help even just one family.
The couple was surprised at how many senior citizens came to the soup kitchen. A lot of them use the time for socialization.
"They are there because they need the company," said Mrs. Simonson. "We are supposed to be feeding them spiritually and bodily -- to feed the hungry in body and spirit."
Mom's Kitchen is open Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. For more information, call Our Lady of Hope parish in Whitehall, (518) 499-1656.[[In-content Ad]]
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