A Bishop Visits

The aroma of cooking was the first thing Syracuse Bishop Douglas J. Lucia noticed.

“Oh, that smells good!”

Bishop Douglas Lucia & Advisory Board Chair Darren Woods

The bishop decided to stop in at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen and Boutique on Oct. 7, two weeks before the canonization anniversary day of the soup kitchen’s namesake (St. Marianne Cope). He was between official visits to Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School and Historic Old St. John’s Church.

Parish Trustee Karl Schmidt had met Bishop outside and escorted him into the soup kitchen. He then introduced Darren Woods, who chairs the operation’s advisory board.

Stuff the Chapel

 One would think that filling a chapel at a Catholic school would not be much of a challenge.

Nancy Robert (2nd from left) with ND sstaff & tudents.

But Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School put a unique twist on the concept as a way to get holiday donations for Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen and Boutique.

Thus, Stuff the Chapel was born.

“Campus Ministry hosted the ‘Stuff the Chapel’ event and the whole student body, staff and families came together and donated both food pantry items and boutique items,” noted Campus Minister Brittany Wilcox (at right in photo). (Photo left to right: student Andrew Scalise, Boutique Coordinator Nancy Robert, students Jenna Herron and Logan Shedd, and Campus Minister Brittany Wilcox.)

How a soup kitchen is good for the resumé

 Want to know how students in Marisa Cardillo’s senior seminar class learn to add depth to their resume?

They volunteer at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen.

Marisa is an English teacher at Sauquoit Valley High School.

“We create resumes in this class early in the year and I noticed that much of the service experiences revolve around putting in the time here, close to home, with many familiar faces,” she noted. “I wanted to expose them to what it means to serve marginalized, often overlooked or forgotten groups within our greater community.”

So, in 2017, she reached out to the soup kitchen as well as a nursing home. Her class has been making an annual trip ever since.

Photo provided by Marisa Cardillo

Irish Fun That Does Some Good

Pat McGrath

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is not only about celebrating Irish culture, where “a ton of people” have fun, but also about getting together “to do some good” and “affect people’s lives.”

That’s how parade co-director Pat McGrath described the donation of food and money to Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen on Wednesday, March 22.

McGrath, along with parade food drive co-chairs Bernie Adorino and Chris Hoke, presented an oversized check to kitchen manager Mike Pilat, representing $2,000 that the parade raised for the soup kitchen (some $1,600 in cash from spectators and another $400 from a private donor).

The Spirit of the Irish Propels Food Drive

Bernie Adorino of Adorino Construction Inc. was looking for a non-profit cause he could help sponsor some 13 years ago. While visiting City Hall and chatting with city officials, he heard about the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and decided to reach out. The committee at the time, with the urging of member Chris Hoke, decided to collect food during the parade for Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen (which opened its doors a year earlier). For Bernie, it seemed a good fit.

Every year since then Bernie has partnered with the parade committee to sponsor the food and money collection, providing manpower and wheelbarrows to collect donations along the parade route as well as a pickup truck towing a flatbed trailer.

Even though the parade was canceled for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the food drive continued, especially with the help of the students and families at Notre Dame Elementary School, Bernie noted. This year's parade on Saturday, March 12 was back to normal – except for a snowstorm that hit the area, inhibiting the number of parade-goers. Even so, the spirit of the Irish was at play.

A Food Drive Blessing

 “We really have a lot of blessings. Our donors.”

 That’s how Advisory Board Treasurer Joe Antonik put it when reviewing recent donations to the soup kitchen.

Board Chairman Darren Woods gave special note to a group involved in a Christmas food drive. General Contractor Michael Bonacci of Whitesboro organized the drive, collecting $1,500 in foodstuffs and money from businesses and individuals.

Thanks to donors like them, volunteers served 3,665 meals in December.

The rest of the story is that Michael was inspired to help the soup kitchen because of his wife Rosemary’s enthusiasm. Her public relations students at Utica College adopted the soup kitchen last semester, and got to see the operation first-hand.

As Darren put it: “They really are passionate about Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen.”

Pythian Watchwords: Friendship and Charity

Dave Lowitz first got to know the work of Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen when he was working for the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL). At the invitation of Deacon Gil Nadeau, RCIL sent an outreach team to see the need first hand. They discovered, among other things, that 27 percent of the guests were homeless and 70 percent were unemployed.

Recently Dave recounted how impressed RCIL was with the work of West Side Kitchen, and that he had the pleasure of presenting Deacon Gil with RCIL’s Community Support Award back in 2010.

Terry Reich, Ken Alcerin, Peter Carchedi, Dave Lowitz

In a visit to the soup kitchen on Jan. 11, Dave made another presentation, this time on behalf of the Knights of Pythias. Joining him were other members of the local lodge’s board – treasurer Peter Carchedi, Terry Reich and Ken Alcerin. They presented a check for $1,000 to soup kitchen Advisory Board Chair Darren Woods and Interim Kitchen Director Mike Pilat.

Peter said the donation came from the New York Grand Lodge’s Humanitarian Fund.

Dave pointed to the fraternal organization’s aim to help people through its principles of “Friendship, Charity and Benevolence.”

But perhaps Peter said it best:

“We know that you people do good work.”

‘It’s like a miracle,’ Santa observes

 John Knight was observing the line of people winding its way through the soup kitchen, getting take-out meals before heading his way. In fact, he was the center of attention because he wearing a white beard and red suit.

“Merry Christmas,” he shouted repeatedly. “Be sure to get your gifts.”

‘This must be where I’m supposed to be’

 Ed Morgan stepped up to head Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen nearly four years ago. After four months on the job, he decided to ask some volunteers how they thought the operation was going.

“I guess it’s alright,” Cheryl Wakeel said. “You haven’t pissed me off yet.”

Another responded by saying, “Who are you?”

Cheryl Wakeel, Ed Morgan, Board Chair Darren Woods.

Ed recounted that exchange during a recognition dinner for volunteers and donors, held Sept. 26 at Club Monarch – where Ed announced that Cheryl was the Fr. Richard Dellos Volunteer of the Year. Cheryl is one of those volunteers he could really rely on, noted Ed, who is retiring for health reasons. When he needed something done, he would call her and “never got a no.” 

Cheryl was a little more than surprised by the honor.

“I was absolutely shocked.”

She Thought It Was a Necklace

 West Side Boutique Coordinator Nancy Robert read an article about Emilie Fancett, a 13-year-old girl who collects and gives away rosaries. She reached out to the girl’s mother, Brenda, about making some rosaries available to soup kitchen patrons. 

Brenda and Emilie

Emilie and Brenda visited West Side Kitchen Aug. 26 and not only donated over 150 rosaries, but also several boxes of crayons and coloring books, stuffed animals, school supplies, games, prayer cards, prayer booklets, and Bibles.

Nancy was thrilled, but she couldn’t help but wonder: Why the love for the rosary?

It all started with Vacation Bible School at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Chadwicks, where then-8-year-old Emilie received a goodie bag. Inside was a rosary.

It was a curious thing for her, being raised a Presbyterian. “Do I wear it as a necklace?”

Youth Brings New Life to Boutique

Yijia (Cindy) Xing was finishing a chalk drawing of a long slender tree. It seemed to gracefully bend, following her fingers. Branches with hanging leaves spread in different directions, extending its reach.

“This represents the mother of life,” the 16-year-old artist said. Child-like angels under the tree, she noted, “bring news of new life.”

Yijia (Cindy) Xing (photos by R. Stronach)

Likewise, Yijia has been helping to bring new life to West Side Boutique as it prepared to reopen during the lingering pandemic. The boutique’s blackboard walls also feature characters from the Disney movie, Lion King, and from the Disney cartoon, Lilo and Stitch. Flanking a display of costume jewelry are portraits of two princesses – Cinderella and Snow White.

Soup kitchen guests got to appreciate her artwork when the boutique reopened Aug. 12, and Yijia and three other students (Grace Zhang, Richard Chen and Leon Zong) got to help them (under pandemic guidelines that included temperature checks, face masks, limited visitors at one time).

Yijia

Yijia, who is entering her junior year at Notre Dame High School, learned about West Side Kitchen and Boutique from her “host sister,” Grace Zhang. A long-term international student, Yijia hails from Liaoning Province in northeast China.

“She has been here since she was in 8th grade,” noted Grace, who herself just completed her freshman year at Cornell University. After high school, Yijia hopes to attend college in the States, too. 

Regarding the soup kitchen and boutique, she noted:

“This is a very good place. They’re helping people, which is very valuable in this community. I am very glad I have the chance to be a volunteer here.”

It's a Time of Grace

When Grace Zhang began the second half of her freshman year at Cornell University in January, little did she realize she would soon be putting into practice leadership skills she was discussing in class – and helping a soup kitchen at the same time.

Grace Zhang

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she says her leadership professor, Donna Lynn Haeger, mentioned opportunities to help out. She pointed Grace to Cornell’s “Serve in Place” grant, created to help communities suffering from the pandemic.

Grace (who is majoring in applied economics and management with a minor in leadership) did some research, and decided to apply for the grant on behalf of the local Front-Line Appreciation Group (FLAG), which, she explained, has been “delivering snacks and supplies to 30 different hospital units and other front-line groups” like police stations, fire departments, and soup kitchens. She won an $800 grant and ever since has been coordinating an effort to benefit West Side Boutique and Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen.

Who’s Applauding Whom?

Donations are important to the effort to feed the hungry. But words of appreciation have equal impact.

The staff and volunteers at the soup kitchen think they should be thanking donors.

More often than not, it’s the other way around, notes Director Ed Morgan.

“I can’t tell you how often someone makes a donation, and they THANK ME.”

For example:

• “We are always awed by all of the volunteers, the behind-the-scene work that goes into what you provide,” Anita and Peter Parisi wrote in a note accompanying their recent donation.
• “Please allow us to thank you for the work that you and your organization does to feed those in need in our area,” Pat Costello wrote on behalf of the Irish Cultural Center board. A check was enclosed representing donations from their social media outreach.
• A note from Mike and Kelly Parsons, pledging a monthly donation, began: “Yesterday as I was driving home, I saw a gentleman leaving Mother Marianne’s with a meal. Thank you for providing so many who are in need.”

Perhaps Anita and Peter put it best: “It’s easy to write a check and think we did some good, but are humbled by the thought of people who really care and do the work. We hope that all of you know that those of us sitting at home want to applaud all of you.”

And then we say a simple prayer of gratitude: Deo gratias.

Busy Easter without the Loud Chatter

It was a busy Easter Sunday at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen -- except there was no loud chatter permeating the dining hall.

Director Ed Morgan and four volunteers prepared Easter dinners of ham, scalloped potatoes and glazed carrots, and packed them in to-go containers.

They handed out a total of 156 meals, which also included salad, fruit and desserts.

That wasn’t all.

“Eighteen kids came by,” Ed notes, "and were given Easter baskets" donated by Bonnie and Darren Woods. In fact, the couple prepared a total of 64 baskets, which provided goodies to children over the next couple of days.

Volunteers unfazed by pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic struck. Businesses and schools shut down. Most people stayed home.


But the volunteers at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen continued to show up to feed those in need – the poor, the jobless, the underemployed, the homeless.


In fact, the volunteers were “unfazed.” That’s how Kitchen Director Ed Morgan put it.


There was one big change, however. Instead of serving guests in the dining hall, they prepared hot meals-to-go.


"Guests come in the front door; pick up a meal, dessert, fruit on tables set up, and leave through the back door," Ed noted. "This works well, and any contact closer than 6 feet is minimalized."


The volunteers are “amazing,” he added, saying he was humbled by “their continued commitment during these difficult times.”

Birthday Girl Donates Gifts for Christmas

Thanks to some thoughtful people, families who visit the soup kitchen were able to bring toys home to put under their Christmas trees. There were also some 30 children who got presents from Santa himself when he visited the soup kitchen Dec. 23.

Among those thoughtful donors were Katherine Divine, the Remsen VFW, and anonymous givers such as the man who showed up at the last minute with three sacks of gifts just when toys were running short.

Katherine's donation was special. She is 10 years old. Her birthday falls close to Christmas, which means she usually gets a lot of presents. She told her parents she wanted to celebrate her birthday by giving away her gifts. She chose Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen.

Katherine came with her parents, Charlie and Sue, and brother, Leeds, to drop off the gifts, as well as get a tour of the soup kitchen and church.

“She wanted those less fortunate children to have a nice gift for Christmas,” Kitchen Director Ed Morgan noted.

Katherine with her dad, mom and brother -- and donated gifts 
at the soup kitchen. Photos by Edward Morgan.

Passing the Christmas Spirit

“I got emotional. These kids were overwhelmed with joy.”

Volunteer John Knight was overjoyed himself. He got to dress up as Santa Claus, chat with over 30 children, and hand out gifts along with helper elf Lynda Schmelcher.

This is the second year John played Santa at Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen.

“I love it. As you can see, it brightens up the kids’ day.”

The gifts they handed out – for children aged one to 12 -- were all donated.

Outreach Coordinator Nancy Robert pointed to the VFW in Remsen, which donated four bags of toys, as well as several anonymous donors.

A Special Place in Her Heart

Marianne Turczyn grew up in St. Joseph and St. Patrick parish, and because of that, she says, “Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen holds a special place in my heart.”

She also pointed to a connection with the soup kitchen’s namesake, who herself spent her childhood and young adult life in the parish before becoming a Franciscan sister and heading to Hawaii to care for lepers.

“Saint Marianne Cope grew up in West Utica very near my own childhood West Utica homestead. Unknowing at the time, I walked past her home as my siblings and I walked to St. Joseph's School -- now the site of the West Side Kitchen.”

A Christmas Wish List

With Christmas approaching, many of us have a wish list. Our children typically wish for the latest toys, gadgets and fashions. We adults are not above wishing for new gadgets ourselves. Or perhaps a better job. Or more meaning in our lives.

Nancy Robert has a Christmas Wish List aimed at putting a smile on the faces of people in need.

The People on the Front Lines

I was at the Seraphicum in Rome, Italy recently where I got to chat with a Franciscan missionary friar who has adopted the causes of caring for orphans and abandoned elderly on an island off the western coast of equatorial Africa.

The Seraphicum

I also got to chat with a Secular Franciscan from Venezuela whose Franciscan fraternity is feeding school children from destitute families and providing a free pharmacy for families hard-hit by their economy.

I got to share what we’re doing at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen in a city where over 30 percent of its residents live in poverty.

The common thread is who is responding to people in need. They are people of faith. People with strong connections to churches. They are the ones on the front lines.