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Barchiesi sits by the counter, peeling potatoes. It's easy to tell that she is the center of the operation. After 17 years of volunteering at the Good Neighbor Kitchen, which is held in the kitchen of St. Ann Church on High Street in Waynesburg, Barchiesi knows where everything is. On this dreary rainy day, the women are preparing brunch for what they expect will be about 20 people from the community.
Tommy Sowers, tall with an affable demeanor, is the only man in the kitchen. Barchiesi says Sowers has been volunteering as long as she has, manning the coffee makers and taking care of important details.
Today, Sowers strides into the rain to set up the "Free Lunch" sign, which has become a fixture in downtown Waynesburg. Swauger has been volunteering now for about three years, and Linda Nalitz, who stands near the door slicing potatoes, is the newest of the group.
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An injury has not stopped Ruth Davin, who faithfully led the lunches for more than 10 years, from helping when she can. Indeed, the Good Neighbors Kitchen has been sustained by the volunteer efforts of dedicated women since 1994, when Florence McConville and Linda McCrea, among others, launched what Waynesburg residents casually refer to as the "Soup Kitchen."
It has now served more than 10,000 lunches every Monday, Thursday and Saturday in its mission "to nourish all who come to the Good Neighbor's Lunch through a free, healthy meal served in an atmosphere of acceptance, inclusion and genuine care."
Alice Wilson, Kathleen Connolly, Vicky Conklin, Attilia Shumaker and Thelma Scott have all been dedicated volunteers over the years, some from its initiation until the present.
Barchiesi doesn't demure when she's asked if the kitchen could use more volunteers. They welcome new people, and you don't have to attend St. Ann Church to help. Barchiesi says that after 9/11, the volunteers preface each meal by walking outside to say the Lord's Prayer with anyone who might want to join them, though of course nobody is forced to pray. "We tell people the Soup Kitchen isn't a Catholic thing," Barchiesi explains.
This past Thanksgiving, because of a lack of volunteers, the Good Neighbor Kitchen held its annual free meal on Tuesday, a few days before the holiday.
The Rev. Rick Thompson, priest of St. Ann Parish for three and a half years, explains: "Within the last year, three of our major founders and constant workers cut back" because of injuries. A few other regular volunteers traveled over the holiday.
Has volunteerism dropped in past years? "The younger people - you hear the older people say this and the younger people admit it - they're so busy, with the husband and wife working and the parents being taxi driver for practice, high school sports and activities," Father Rick says. "They would like to and regret not (helping out), but they're just swamped, committed to their jobs and to their home. The elder people have remained steady, but the younger people are just not volunteering."
Even though high school students and Waynesburg University's Bonner Scholars are active volunteers, Father Rick points out that "when it's Christmas or Easter Break or summertime, it's just three or four older ladies who are here constantly."
What's the solution? Father Rick points to high school and university service projects, which fill some of the need. Also, he adds, "I have faith that there are people now just entering retirement, and we're trying to get them active."
Good Neighbor Kitchen, just one of St. Ann's volunteer-based programs, which includes Guatemala Mission Group, St. Ann's Meals on Wheels, Knights of Columbus' Friday Fish Fry and other volunteer-fueled efforts, is sponsored by monetary and food donations from parishioners and community members and businesses.
St. Ann's relationship and cooperation with other churches in the community is mutual, Father Rick says. "All of the Christian faiths get along like brothers and sisters. I really feel that there is no division between the Christian faiths at the present day."
And as for the Thanksgiving meal, held a little early this year? Father Rick says that nobody who attended the Good Neighbor Kitchen's special meal went hungry on the holiday itself. To each attendee, the women handed out a ham, canned goods, and, Father Rick adds, "Emma (Barchiesi) gave everyone who could carry them a 10-pound bag of potatoes."
Anyone wishing to volunteer can either call ahead at 724-627-7568 or just show up, ready to serve, from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday or Thursday mornings. Go the kitchen, accessible from a side door, of St. Ann Church at 232 E. High St.
Volunteers : 1/29/2012
I am sure if someone would contact our local jail and speak to the warden he might be able to send a couple men or women to give a willing helping just because they are incarcerated does not make them bad people. And once a month go to the fairgrounds and walk into any of the 2 buildings that is handing out food and you will see the mosy kindest volunteers that hand out food with no complaints(that is to be heard by myself) and carry food to vehiclesor maybe just to smile, or say a kind word to you. "hats off to greene county volunteers".
remember : 1/29/2012
As ye do to the least of my children, ye do unto me.
Soup Kitchen : 1/30/2012
Wonderful article...I have seen Emma Barchiesi in action, she truly lives and breathes the Gospel message. Thanks for all you do Emma.
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