Published: November 30, 2009 10:21 pm      

SOUP KITCHEN: Needs of the hungry are food for thought

As Allen Tomaino plays Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” on the piano Monday, he entertains a room full of volunteers and people enjoying each others’ company while eating a hot lunch at the Sister Mary Loretto Memorial soup kitchen.

Monday’s lunch was a full Thanksgiving dinner — turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes.

Lockport residents Tomaino and Bill Shaw said they don’t go to the soup kitchen every day, but said they appreciate a free meal, especially in a tough economy.

“It’s a hot meal from God,” Tomaino, 22, said.

He said that at first, he was not a fan of the soup kitchen after his twin brother introduced him to it, but now appreciates what it is willing to provide to those in need. The soup kitchen is housed within the Salvation Army Building at 50 Cottage St.

Salvation Army Director Maj. John Wheeler said they have a large garage that they call the “dungeon” full of food that they use to serve.

The walls of the garage are lined with shelves of boxed, canned and perishable goods donated or bought with donated money.

“Places like Tops and local business help provide us with food,” Wheeler said. “And we get quite a bit from the food bank.”

Wheeler’s wife, Maj. Marjorie Wheeler, oversees the soup kitchen.

“She’s great ... she takes care of all the inventory,” Wheeler said of his wife. “And makes the recipes for the food.”

In the kitchen are a group of volunteers, as well as and one part-time employee who does all the cooking.

Karen Sennett has been working with the Salvation Army for nearly 19 years and was a volunteer at the Sister Mary Loretto food kitchen for 17 years before landing a part-time job as the “only cook.”

She said she never had formal culinary training, but enjoys taking the time to make food for others. “Luckily, volunteers help with the food preparation, but we’re always looking for more help,” Sennett said.

Wheeler added that cleanliness is important, too.

“The state comes in to inspect, also,” Wheeler said. “And having Sennett in the kitchen keeps them happy.”

The soup kitchen serves meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, serving about 150 meals a day.

With the kitchen’s annual fundraising drive under way, donations are being accepted now. Donations may be sent by clipping the coupon on the front page of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, which appears each day, Monday through Saturday. Gifts may be made in honor or memory of a loved one, and the donor’s name, the amount of the donation and the sentiments of the donor will be published. Donors also can remain anonymous.

The donations, along with the completed coupons, can be dropped off at any First Niagara Bank or mailed to First Niagara Bank, 55 East Ave., Lockport, NY 14094.

Contact reporter Britney Milazzo at 439-9222, ext. 6251.