Stewards serve other people

By Sarah Malcore
Compass Correspondent

	Stewardship Stewardship: A Way of Life is the diocesan thrust. It invites Catholics to acknowledge that all of life is a gift of God and to respond through prayer, service and sharing. This series will look at ways to do that.

What could be better then a family style dinner? Plenty of juicy ham, broasted chicken, stuffing, rolls, corn, and delicious homemade desserts. Better yet for diners at a homeless shelter, they don't have to leave their chair and get back in a cafeteria line to get more food.

The first Wednesday evening of each month, a group from St. Willebrord Parish, Green Bay, serves a family style meal at the New Community Shelter.

Peggy Helander, coordinator of St. Willebrord's meal night at the shelter, along with her longtime friend and fellow parishioner, Polly Hessel, spearheaded the effort to make the change from a "soup kitchen" cafeteria style meal more than five years ago.

A little over six years ago, Helander read an article in Time about a homeless shelter in Los Angeles that served meals family style.

"I liked the idea," Helander said. "I thought this was something worth considering and possibly trying."

After reading of how well it worked in the LA shelter, Helander and Hessel approached the staff at the shelter with their idea, but received a negative response.

"We were still at the old shelter located on Broadway and the staff there said the set up of the facility would not accommodate family style service and besides that, there were sanitary and health concerns," Helander said. "Polly and I felt those were excuses and felt strongly about this idea so we decided to approach the board of directors with the idea and see if we could get approval that way."

They had no problem convincing the board that it was a terrific idea.

"We started serving family style at the very next meal, and have done so ever since," Helander said. "It has gone over in a big way so we plan to continue."

Helander isn't the only one who thinks the meals are a good idea. Paula Jansen, her husband Mike and her daughter Mary, all St. Willebrord parishioners, volunteer as a family and help serve the meals a few times a year.

"People really seem to enjoy being able to sit down and be served and waited on," Jansen said. "There are always a lot of smiles as guests arrive. They know that something special is going on."

"I think that serving this way is very respectful of guests and makes them feel like they are in a restaurant," said Sr. Melanie Maczka, who helps the group serve meals at the shelter. "Many people who come for meals find it difficult the way it is to come to the shelter to supplement their needs so serving this way helps them feel more comfortable about it."

Preparations start around 1:30 p.m. to serve 130 or so meals at 5 p.m. "We get the group together to start peeling potatoes and getting the meal prepped," Helander said. "When people arrive to eat, the tables are set and people sit right down at a table and the hot food is served to them. They never have to get up for more of anything and when they are finished, they leave their plate right there and someone will come and take care of it, just like a restaurant."

The St. Willebrord group had extra help for the April meal - Bp. David Zubik.

"Bishop arrived in his work clothes with his sleeves rolled up and ready to work," Helander said. "He jumped right in and helped out with serving the food and meeting the people. It was great to see how happy guests were to see him and how much they enjoyed talking to him."

"People do seem to interact a lot more during the family style meals which is nice to see," said Sarah Madsen, meal and volunteer coordinator at the NEW Community Shelter. "It is a great idea and if any other groups wished to follow the lead of St. Willebrord, they are more then welcome to, however we appreciate all the help we get from all of our volunteer groups who give their time to serve meals."

"We realize that it can be a difficult procedure starting out but is very rewarding once implemented," said Jane Tempt, St. Willebrord parishioner and volunteer server. "There's a chance to get to know people and really share some special moments. A year ago or so, I had a plate of fresh homemade cookies. A young man, about 18 or so was eyeing that plate of cookies from across the room with a wide grin on his face. I walked by and asked if could get him anything and his smile grew even wider and he said 'I'd like one of those cookies' with the most angelic look on his face. Store bought cookies just aren't the same as fresh homemade cookies."

Helander said she is willing to give pointers and advice to groups interested in serving family style meals. "This has made an unbelievable difference among those dining and I think that this has worked out beautifully. The feedback from residents and guests is great, they love it," she said. "I encourage other groups and parishes to try serving meals family style. It only takes a few extra hands to help serve the meal and it is worth it."