Community soul food at Emmanuel Episcopal Church
NORWICH – On Thursday, May 8 the Emmanuel Episcopal Outreach Committee held its Emmanuel Soul Food Kitchen (ESFK) community meal. The meal is scheduled on the second Thursday of every month with one setting at 5:30 p.m. at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Norwich. Come summertime the series will end but will begin again on September 11, explained Father Chuck Taylor.
“This has been running since September and was paid for by Emmanuel Episcopal Church,” said Taylor. “We serve on average 75 to 80 people.”
Taylor had the original idea because he and members of the committee understand how large a problem “food insecurity” is for those in Chenango County.
“In 2012... 14.5 percent (17.6 million households) were food insecure,” states a United States Department of Agriculture survey. “Food-insecure house-holds (those with low and very low food security) had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources.”
States a ESFK release, “The unemployed or retired, young men/women unable to find jobs, or anyone in need of a hot meal, or those who wish to enjoy the sense of camaraderie, are welcome.”
“I think we have a needy group. We see most of the same people,” said parishioner and server, Carl Berdzimski. “I don't think people know how poor Chenango County is.”
Taylor explained that though providing food to those in need is the main focus, the ESFK is also part of an outreach ministry that works towards fostering a spiritual community.
“I consider this (dinner) to be a church service. I answer spiritual questions,” said Taylor. “This is place of hospitality where everyone is welcome.”
On Thursday night there was definitely a sense of community and cooperation. Cheerleaders from Norwich High School worked as servers and Charlie McMullen worked as the head chef with many volunteers to help with food preparation. They offered the crowd sloppy joes, a potato side dish and ice cream sundaes for dessert.
“It's just good for all of the cheerleaders to get into,” said cheerleader Aislinn Smith. “Getting into the community helps us as a team.”
When asked why this event is important cheerleader Tasha Furman said, “Helping others and giving back to the community like the support they gave us (is important).”
While the dinner service was scheduled for 5:30 p.m., many people arrived as early as 4:30 p.m., said Taylor.
All of the attendees seemed pleased with the food and were busy conversing with those at their tables.
“It was delicious, very good (food),” said one attendee, which seemed to be a consensus amongst the crowd. “Everyone here is very friendly.”
Jim Everard serves as chair of the Emmanuel Episcopal Outreach Committee and the ESFK is just one of numerous assistance programs that the committee orchestrates, states a ESFK release. It helps with water/heating/electric bills, getting medical necessities like prescriptions, procuring handicap equipment, supplies Our Daily Bread food pantry, as well as provides numerous meals throughout the year.
Those interested in working as servers or for more information can call 334-8801. Father Chuck Taylor's email is FrChuckT@frontiernet.net. Information can also be found by visiting http://emmanuelnorwich.com/.
“This has been running since September and was paid for by Emmanuel Episcopal Church,” said Taylor. “We serve on average 75 to 80 people.”
Taylor had the original idea because he and members of the committee understand how large a problem “food insecurity” is for those in Chenango County.
“In 2012... 14.5 percent (17.6 million households) were food insecure,” states a United States Department of Agriculture survey. “Food-insecure house-holds (those with low and very low food security) had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources.”
States a ESFK release, “The unemployed or retired, young men/women unable to find jobs, or anyone in need of a hot meal, or those who wish to enjoy the sense of camaraderie, are welcome.”
“I think we have a needy group. We see most of the same people,” said parishioner and server, Carl Berdzimski. “I don't think people know how poor Chenango County is.”
Taylor explained that though providing food to those in need is the main focus, the ESFK is also part of an outreach ministry that works towards fostering a spiritual community.
“I consider this (dinner) to be a church service. I answer spiritual questions,” said Taylor. “This is place of hospitality where everyone is welcome.”
On Thursday night there was definitely a sense of community and cooperation. Cheerleaders from Norwich High School worked as servers and Charlie McMullen worked as the head chef with many volunteers to help with food preparation. They offered the crowd sloppy joes, a potato side dish and ice cream sundaes for dessert.
“It's just good for all of the cheerleaders to get into,” said cheerleader Aislinn Smith. “Getting into the community helps us as a team.”
When asked why this event is important cheerleader Tasha Furman said, “Helping others and giving back to the community like the support they gave us (is important).”
While the dinner service was scheduled for 5:30 p.m., many people arrived as early as 4:30 p.m., said Taylor.
All of the attendees seemed pleased with the food and were busy conversing with those at their tables.
“It was delicious, very good (food),” said one attendee, which seemed to be a consensus amongst the crowd. “Everyone here is very friendly.”
Jim Everard serves as chair of the Emmanuel Episcopal Outreach Committee and the ESFK is just one of numerous assistance programs that the committee orchestrates, states a ESFK release. It helps with water/heating/electric bills, getting medical necessities like prescriptions, procuring handicap equipment, supplies Our Daily Bread food pantry, as well as provides numerous meals throughout the year.
Those interested in working as servers or for more information can call 334-8801. Father Chuck Taylor's email is FrChuckT@frontiernet.net. Information can also be found by visiting http://emmanuelnorwich.com/.
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