| SATURDAY'S
KITCHEN CONTINUES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED
While most of us enjoy our
Saturdays off after a long week, East Taylor Township resident Joan Bost
spends much of her time helping those in need of a meal on weekends.
Joan, a retired registered nurse and founder of Saturday's Kitchen feels
compelled to give back to the community in which she lives.
Saturday's Kitchen
is a group of 30 interdenominational Parishes in the Johnstown and Greater
Johnstown area, comprised of priests, ministers, and laity and was formed
by Joan, husband Ronald, and Father Frank Miloro in an attempt to get the
Family Kitchen open on Saturdays. The idea came to Joan in January
2007, after reading an article in the Tribune-Democrat about a local woman
telling her child to "Eat well on Friday, because you won't be able to
eat again until Monday!" Knowing this type of lifestyle is not suitable
for anyone, Joan, Ron and Father Miloro of Christ the Savior Cathedral
formed the group to help open the Family Kitchen Saturday, January 2008.
Until now the Kitchen
operated only Monday thru Friday. It was opened Sunday by parishes
and organizations preparing and serving meals at the Kitchen only after
the article appeared. Joan decided to get the door also open on Saturday.
When asked who attends the
Kitchen, Joan said, "The ill, young, aged, those on fixed or little income,
even those living out of their cars." She stated, "On average there
are one-hundred fifty people attending each Saturday. One Sunday
there was two hundred thirty four people to serve." Saturday's Kitchen
has recently taken on the task of absorbing the Sunday program which offers
the same services and is headed by Kathy Belsky. They now both work
together. Joan and Saturday's Kitchen did not stop here; they continued
to look for ways to help the community. The newest project called
"Christmas in July" is a fund drive to help our local food pantries instead
of waiting until the busy holiday season.
Proceeds solicited for "Christmas
in July" will be placed in the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies
which also houses the Saturday's Kitchen fund. The foundation manages
the funds which they dispersed only under the direction of Saturdays' Kitchen.
When Joan began the push to open the kitchen, the group felt it was necessary
to work through the Community Foundation. "The main reason they wanted
the Foundation to handle their funds was because they trusted them."
It allowed an outside source to manage the money so the local Parishes
would not have to deal with any problems that could occur. She also
commented on how pleased the group was with the monthly financial report
they receive from the foundation, explaining all transactions.
Joan, along with Saturday's
Kitchen, wants to thank all the many Parishes who have brought the project
to fruition, along with Johnstown Welding and Fabrication and their C.A.R.E.S
group, the Johnstown YMCA, Polish National Alliance and the Wayne Friedhoff
Family. A special appreciation to the Kaufman Mennonite Community
of Davidsville who are supporting and serving one meal per month, First
Cambria AME Zion Church for their continuous financial backing, and to
all who continue to donate privately. Saturday's Kitchen meets monthly
at Christ the Savior Cathedral and can be reached at P. O. Box 1133, Johnstown
PA 15907. Your help and generosity is always welcome and appreciated.
Donations to Saturday's Kitchen are also accepted at the Community Foundation
of the Alleghenies at 116 Market Street, Suite 4, Johnstown PA 15901 or
at www.cfalleghenies.org. |
Happy
Holidays!
