New soup kitchen opens at McHenry church
“.....Because some people are hungry and cannot provide for themselves.” This was the reason given by The Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen Board of Directors when asked about starting a soup kitchen at the parish.
Beginning Monday, June 11 and continuing every Monday through Aug. 27, the Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 Bull Valley Road, will provide an evening meal for anyone homeless or in need of something to eat.
Doors will open and guests seated in Bell Tower Place, the parish community center at 5 p.m., with food available at 5:30 p.m. and dessert at 6 p.m. If more food is available, seconds will be offered at 6 p.m. And if food is still available after seconds, take-out containers will be provided. Guests are welcome to stay till 6:45 p.m., clean up time, so that the parish can prepare the space for evening meetings.
During most of the year in the McHenry area, PADS provides meals. But during the few summer months, meals are only available at The First Methodist Church on Main Street and Maranatha Church on Ringwood Road. Expanding meal opportunities to the less fortunate during the summer season seemed to be the perfect place for the parish to start its new endeavor which originated as a discussion during a Lenten luncheon Bible study offered by the Rev. Robert Sherry, parish pastor.
“The topic was prayer, fasting and alms giving,” said soup kitchen director Trisha Rosga. “And Father Sherry said during our discussion, 'I wonder why we haven't done this after all these years?' I turned to him and said, 'I've wanted to do this too!'”
In one week's time, Rosga researched everything the parish would need to do to add a soup kitchen to its list of outreach services including the St. Vincent DePaul ministry and quarterly visits by the Northern Illinois Foodbank truck.
“By the next week's Bible study, I came back with information from the city and the state on what we had to do to make this a reality,” Rosga said. “We talked about the real possibility of a soup kitchen at that luncheon to see who was interested and worked from there. This was God's work - I was just the vessel He used. With all the obstacles that came our way throughout the process, He always provided the solution.”
On May 21, the City of McHenry voted a “temporary use” permit at its Council meeting to allow the establishment of a soup kitchen at the parish. With a core team of about 11 members who attended the first volunteer meeting, and a larger group of 30 team members offering to cook, clean, serve and provide security during the kitchen's open hours, the soup kitchen staff prepared for its first opening.
Rosga said estimated attendance for the new soup kitchen is based on the attendance experienced at The First Methodist Church. The food for the kitchen will be purchased, prepared off-site and delivered to the parish entirely by volunteers. The public is welcome to assist by providing coffee, cold drink mix, paper goods, eating utensils garbage bags, gloves and take out containers. Donations can be dropped off at the parish office during business hours.
“We're relying on God that we will have enough to serve everyone each night,” Rosga said. “It's His kitchen. He will provide. Our staff is ready to serve. God has prepared the volunteers' hearts to be at peace through all of this so we really ARE ready.”
For more information on the soup kitchen, contact the Church of Holy Apostles at (815) 385-LORD (5673).