Soup Kitchen/Community Dinner is very popular
By John T. Ryan
Dave & Theresa Viti – Anxious to try one of Dave’s homemade desserts
The St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen/Community Dinner served its first meal on May 16th. Meal organizer David Viti hoped the first meal would attract at least 50 people. To his surprise 80 people came through the doors and the number served has been steadily increasing. The dinner has a weekly average attendance of 100 to 110. Last week 131 people were served. Viti says, “I didn’t think we’d get to this number so easily, but we’re very happy and we welcome even more people.”
Viti and his wife Theresa explained that the people enjoying the meals include both senior citizens and young families. Many people enjoy the socialization with friends and neighbors, while others appreciate a meal in these recessionary times. Every meal includes soup, a salad, a main dish, dessert and a choice of beverages. Typical main courses have included michigans, spaghetti, goulash, roast pork, roast beef and stew. Viti said, ”The only thing we’ve changed since the beginning is to go a little easier on the salt.” Theresa added, “We’ve been getting a lot of compliments on the food.”
Bonnie Mahnk prepares pork stew
Dave and Theresa Viti, Bonnie Mahnk and Dan Casey staff one of the two cooking crews while Donna McKee, Lois Seymour and Sandra Trim comprise the other crew. So many people have stepped forward to help serve the meal that there are ten serving crews with eight to ten volunteers. Servers arrive at 4 PM and finish about 6:45 PM.
Local residents and businesses have been very generous in donating foods such as milk and bread. A delicious community salad was served two weeks ago when several people brought in fresh vegetables.
The meal is served every Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:45 PM in the St. Augustine’s Parish Center at 3030 Main St. Everyone is invited.
Posted: August 29th, 2012 under General News, Peru/Regional History.