Youth pitch in to feed needy at Bethany Center

At St. Francis de Sales Church in Troy, Saturday morning means service to a group of Catholic teens.

Three times a year, youths from the Confirmation program spend Saturdays chopping vegetables, baking brownies and cooking a luncheon for guests at Bethany Hospitality Center, a non-profit soup kitchen and aid center for the poor.

Parish teens have been lending a helping hand for almost ten years, said youth minister Mary Ackerson. Events like the Bethany meal help make service interesting for young people, bring them in direct contact with the people they serve and provide an environment for socialization and fun.

Fun serving

"What I try to promote is that service is something we do to help others in need -- and service can be fun," Mrs. Ackerson said. "You get together with your friends, your Confirmation class. You see the people that you're serving, which is good. It gives you a real identification with who's out there."

It's not only the teens who care about Bethany Center. Parishioners of all ages pitch in, participating in special collections to gather toiletries, socks, underwear, cleaning supplies and other necessities for Bethany visitors.

Parents and other adults are responsible for providing the food, cups and utensils needed to serve the meal.

Rewards

On a recent Saturday morning, Matt and Jared Heiser were among the first teens to arrive at the parish to prepare the meals for Bethany Center. They immediately got to work peeling and chopping carrots.

"You feel it's good to help people provide for themselves," Matt said.

When Kevin Murray arrived, he went straight for his favorite cutting board. "After I get this done, I feel like I've done something good," he said.

Erin Shipley and Amanda Hadsell minced onions. Amanda is a parishioner; Erin, a school friend looking to obtain service hours for her involvement in an honor society.

"I always wonder if they'll like it," said Amanda. "But you know you're making a difference."

Feeling good

In the parish kitchen, where eighth-grader Tim Wade and his mother, Sue, presided over the large cookpot, eighth-grader Steve DeBonis took a break to grab a soda. For him, helping others causes a domino effect.

"It makes you feel better about yourself, and because of that you'll help them feel better about themselves," he explained. "Then, they do better for themselves and make the world a better place. The world is in war and fighting; but if everyone could learn to work together, there'll be peace -- and we'll all be considered equal."

Mollie Heiser, 12, said of the homeless and poor: "They're still people no matter what. Even if they don't have a home. You just talk to them like regular people, like you'd talk to your friends."

Delivery

Mrs. Ackerson and her husband, Don, who is a deacon at St. Francis, loaded up their car to take the food downtown.

At the Bethany Hospitality Center, guests gathered before the meal to chat, watch television and joke with the staff. Many are elderly; some are homeless; others, like a woman trailing five children behind her, have other stories.

For one guest, who did not want to give his name, Bethany Center fills hungry weekends left blank by the Saturday and Sunday closings of his senior center.

Anywhere from 30 to 70 people are come to each meal. Many community organizations pitch in to cook the meals and bring them to the Bethany Center, where the kitchen is too small.

"Churches, in general, are big supporters," said Arlene O'Connor, director. "St. Francis understands our mission, because they see the people we serve. We're grateful to the Catholic churches, who are staunch supporters."

Paying back

At the center, 15-year-old Brian Gorman served chili, chocolate milk and coffee to the guests.

This wasn't his only experience with service; he also helps out at Catholic Central High School's spring dinner for the elderly.

"I feel thankful for what I have," Brian said. "I like the helping aspect -- when people are down, helping them get back up where they should be. I really appreciate what I have now."

(5/12/05)