Pantry work fun, fulfilling

Who knew volunteering at a food pantry would offer so much fun and fulfillment?

Surely, not I.

What originated as a conversation between my mom and I turned into a cover story last January.

Now, nearly a year and some 20 visits later, my Monday mornings just don't seem complete without a visit to St. John the Baptist for 8:30 mass and then across the street to the pantry.

On this most recent visit, Nov. 24, it was blistering cold, the coldest day of the season. A light snow was blowing, and the pantry was filled with hungry people eager to load up for the Thanksgiving holiday.

With the people in need of food and other household items came the need for people to gather and handout the goods.

That's where I come to bat. Usually. I float around and serve as anything from the watermelon bagger to the pudding re-stocker to the cereal stacker to the bar-soap-package-opener to the empty-box-breaker-downer. Descriptions so obscure maybe I'll even get my own Bud Light commercial.

Whatever the case, I'm helping those in need. And what a refreshing, genuine feeling that is.

(This column isn't an attempt to launch myself on a pedestal and give the proverbial "pat on the back." Rather, it's me sharing a story about something I enjoy doing.)

I recently heard a journalist say something to the effect of, "A great part of this job is being able to share good things that happen." And he's right. So much wrong doing and sensationalism makes the front page on a daily basis, it's a wonder where a feel-good story fits in.

Being on the road a lot, I haven't been at the pantry as much as I would've like. I all but made up for it on this day. Seventy-four families were fed within the first 90 minutes. Nancy Cleghorn, Vera Corsetti, Lucy Linko and Mary Ann Sievert manned the front desk where people checked in and then waited for their goods.

Larry Konz filled the boxes with food staples, and then George Block, Judy Bilek, Rosemary Gengler and Marilyn Gregory added the goods specified or requested per health condition and size of family.

"Two adults, four kids" is sometimes read from a 3x5 index card brought to us by the ladies up front, depending on the size of the family. Sometimes it may only be one person.

"Are they walking?" is often heard next, since that affects how the goods will be gathered and carried away.

Don and Mazie Buss were organizing items just brought from St. John's church, St. Joseph's school of Joliet, East Side Knights of Columbus and the Bobbie Noonan Childcare Center. Marianne Manley, fresh from major back surgery, couldn't help but lend a hand, too, although her doctors may have thought otherwise.

If a traffic officer were available, one would've been needed on this day. Between boxes, bags, carts and bodies coming and going, the pantry's action had the feel of a jam-packed restaurant on Mother's Day.

And being that I worked many such shifts, it was kind of nice to be in the midst of some welcomed and organized chaos.

Like the restaurant jobs, the pantry has its moments for behind the scenes banter and laughter. It's often hard to believe people who get free food can haggle about what they get. Nontheless, it happens. Some families are too small to warrant getting the large portions a family of eight would get. We have some laughs and provide service with a smile.

A service that is well needed and equally rewarding.

Thanks to the gang at St. John's, and thanks to those people we feed.

 

Scott Deiniger is a comedian and writer and can be reached at www.ShaveYourHead.com

2/14/03