Yes! Soup for you!

Fifteen volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany are making a big difference in their community, but not too many people know it.

The volunteers prefer it that way.

Part of a ministry to senior citizens, the 15 prepare chicken soup for homebound parishioners who are recovering from surgery or illnesses, or who are unable to cook for themselves.

In the soup

"Our chicken soup ministry has been in operation for about six or seven years," said Sister Eleanor Guerin, RSM, parish director of senior services and outreach.

Borrowing the idea from another parish, she placed a notice for volunteers in the weekly bulletin. Soon, she had a list of women willing to pitch in.

When Sister Eleanor visits homebound parishioners, she brings them the soup, cooked with love by the volunteers.

Stirring the pot

Nina Marinello, who is in charge of the soup-makers, said there are enough volunteers that each person has to cook only once every two months.

"We keep the soup frozen in one-quart containers at the parish hall," she explained. "When one of the volunteers makes soup, she fills the containers, dates them and puts them in the freezer. We rotate the soup by date.

"One of our volunteers checks the freezer each week so we always know when fresh soup is needed. We like to keep an ample supply available for Sister Eleanor when she goes on her home visits. It's a very efficient system."

Recipe for success

Cheri Pinkans has been a volunteer in the ministry for about three years. A wife, mother of a toddler and part-time worker, she said that being part of the soup ministry keeps her involved in a special way.

"One of my heartfelt concerns is that people may not have shelter or food to eat," she noted. "When I cook soup, I know that I am helping someone get a nutritional, home-cooked meal. It gives me a good feeling to know that I've helped someone in our community."

(9/25/03) [[In-content Ad]]