Thursday, September 26, 2019

‘A Gem in the Heart of Utica’

We work to feed the hungry in our community without regard to getting recognition. Our volunteers are motivated by something else. Some may refer to the golden rule of treating others as they would like to be treated. Others may quote the New Testament passage, Matthew 25:35, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome.”

So, it does come as a bit of a surprise when donors track us down and even ask God to bless us. Soup kitchen director Ed Morgan says he is continually amazed.

Shannon Crocker
Shannon Crocker
assistant professor / MVCC
One such donor Ed got to meet at Mohawk Valley Community College. Her students volunteered in the food recovery program, which resulted in tons of food that would otherwise have been discarded being donated to soup kitchens run by organizations like the Salvation Army and West Side Kitchen. Ed got to interact with them on a number of occasions.

This year their professor, Shannon Crocker, won the Aeries Award from MVCC Auxiliary Services for her volunteer and humanitarian efforts. The award came with the opportunity to donate $1,000 to the charity of her choice. She chose Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen.

We asked her why.

“I selected Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen because it is a gem in the heart of Utica. Every semester when Ed comes to talk with my students, I am blown away by his compassion, caring, and respect for Mother Marianne's patrons. Every semester my students tell me how going to Mother Marianne's is like going to their grandmother's kitchen. It set a wonderful example of community for my students and I am very thankful our city has such an amazing place.”

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Volunteering Part of Homeschooling

Six-year-old Dash Wilson was cleaning the table with determination. His 8-year-old brother, Syke, was wielding a broom, with dad Eleyah offering a tip on how to sweep more efficiently. Meanwhile, 19-month-old Kaleah was shadowing her brothers, offering advice in screams and shouts.

It was just another day of community service for the homeschooled Wilson family — except that the location was Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen.