Masontown Community Kitchen: Satisfying need for good food, fellowship
David Crable and David Martin stand outside First Presbyterian Church on a late December afternoon, greeting guests as they arrive at the Masontown Community Kitchen. The regulars smile and call their own greetings before going inside to register and then head down a flight of stairs to the kitchen and social hall, where today’s menu features homemade chili – a delicious meal that’s available at no charge to the guests.
The aroma of chili is apparent to guests as they enter the social hall, which is decorated for the holidays. There’s a Christmas tree on one side. Some volunteers wear Santa Claus hats. One man wears a reindeer cap. Almost everyone wears a smile.
“I think it’s just wonderful – all these people getting together and having a nice meal,’ says volunteer Catherine Micoli, a member of All Saints Roman Catholic Church. “And all these volunteers – more come in every week. Father Butler comes.’
The Rev. John Butler, pastor of All Saints, is one of the many members of the Klondike Clergy Association who support the venture, as do most area churches.
Community Kitchen also has the support of local organizations, businesses and individuals who all believe in the idea. They donate not only food but also kitchen supplies.
The Rev. Geoff Rach, pastor of McClellandtown and Grace Chapel Presbyterian churches and a member of the clergy association, is attending his first Community Kitchen dinner. He gave the invocation on this particular day.
“It doesn’t get any more basic than feeding people in need. It’s always a good ministry,’ he says.
Rach, who also prayed with the volunteers before the start of the dinner, agrees that most people here are upbeat and in a good mood. He believes it’s important that so many churches are involved in Community Kitchen.
“It lets people know the Church is here to serve the community,’ Rach says. “That’s what the Lord Jesus calls us to do – to serve where there is need.’
The idea for Masontown Community Kitchen began with the Rev. Jim Giesey, former pastor of First Presbyterian, who is now retired. Volunteers Dan Nolan, who is head cook, menu planner and a member of All Saints, along with Ken Pryce, who smiles when he calls himself “assistant to the head cook,’ and is a member of Jacobs Lutheran Church, explain how everything came together.
They say Community Kitchen started this past February but it took two and a half years to prepare for it, including remodeling the kitchen and obtaining permits.
The idea, at first, was to feed those in need. But then participants realized how beneficial are the social aspects of Community Kitchen.
“Some are lonely. Others just like good conversation,’ says Nolan. “About 5 to 5:30, this place gets pretty lively. You hear the conversation and the laughter and it feeds us. If we can’t look out, we hear it. Volunteers do it for the love of community and Christ. It’s their way of giving back.’
Community Kitchen is open the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 4 to 7 p.m., and, yes, it was scheduled to be open the day after Christmas.
In the few months that Community Kitchen has been in existence, participation has grown significantly.
Pryce says, “It started with 20 to 25 people and just kept increasing every week. Now, we serve 100 people or better plus take out is about another 50. It makes our hearts feel good.’
Nolan, who says that people have come from as far away as Dunbar for Community Kitchen, notes that all meals are made from scratch. They vary from the previous dinner of pizza to a turkey dinner that was planned for the day after Christmas. Soup is featured every other meal.
Bettie Crable of Masontown Brethren Church is in charge of volunteers. She works with 25 to 30 of them who perform a variety of services.
“Some come in and prepare food. Some come in to serve. Some come in for washing dishes and cleaning up,’ she says. “And some like to host – talk with our guests.’
She continues, “What I have heard from this is that they like doing this. They like the service – giving to the community, love of people. Some of us feel called to do this ministry.’
The volunteers are ministers and lay people, men and women of all ages, even a college student. Everyone is welcome to volunteer.
Crable says, “It’s a lot of hard work but the blessings far outweigh the work.’
Kathy West, clerk of Session and secretary for First Presbyterian, gives credit to Giesey and says, “I think we’re just so blessed to have this whole thing happen.’
She adds, “There is a need in the community and also a need for socialization – a place for people to come and have a cup of coffee and have fun with each other.’
West also remarks that many people who come for the meals have started volunteering “and not just for Community Kitchen, but for the food bank. It is contagious – wanting to do good and help other people.’
Guests appear to be enjoying themselves at the dinner.
Helen Blazek of Masontown is here for the first time.
“It’s very nice. I could smell that chili way outside,’ she says. “I think it’s good for people to get together.’
Rhonda Law of Ronco has been coming since Community Kitchen opened. She says she likes “the atmosphere, the people, the friendliness. It doesn’t matter who you are, they’re willing to do what they can for you. They’re great people.’
“They’re hospitable,’ says Gladys Nicholson of Masontown, who also has been at the Community Kitchen from the beginning. “I like the friendliness. If you don’t come one day, the next time they ask you where you’ve been. They’re concerned about people.’
The regulars say they like all the dinners – Law especially likes the coleslaw – and Community Kitchen proves to be helpful.
“That’s a day out for us and the kids,’ says Law. “You get to meet people and talk to people. I love it.’
Out on the street, Crable and Martin still are greeting people, who walk into the church with smiles.
“I think it’s so nice to have something in our community that gives people an opportunity to eat and take care of loneliness,’ says Crable.
The Rev. Bob Lewis, pastor of Masontown United Methodist Church, stops by as he does once a month. He’s glad to see the program do well.
“Whenever any of the churches has a success story, it’s a success for the church of Jesus Christ,’ Lewis says.
“I feel it’s successful,’ says Martin. “We need to have something to evangelize, to show our interest. I’m thrilled it’s here.’
Helency Sisko is dropped off by her husband, Peter, who joins her after parking the car. They enjoy the socializing that comes with Community Kitchen.
“It’s a great idea,’ she says. “We haven’t missed a time since it started.’
A lovely evening spent with those who care, Masontown Community Kitchen can best be explained in the simple “Grace Before the Meal,’ a copy of which is given to everyone who enters:
“We thank you, O God, for your bounty given to us in this meal. May we always be grateful for your gifts. Amen.
“To those who may ask why we do this, we answer, We share our bounty because God has called us to share a community of food and fellowship with all people.’
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Masontown Community Kitchen is located in First Presbyterian Church, 102 W. Church Ave., Masontown. To volunteer, call Bettie Crable at 724-583-7464 or Kathy West at 724-583-7840. Masontown Community Kitchen will be open next from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 9. Donations are appreciated.