Bringing Food to the Hungry
The Belleville Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul feeds the hungry who come to the doors of their facility located at 3718 State Street in East St. Louis. Cosgrove's Soup Kitchen was established more than 30 years ago and has been an important ministry serving those suffering from the effects of poverty in this community: children, the elderly, the homeless, the mentally and physically disabled and the working poor. It is the only facility in the East St. Louis area that offers a free noon meal 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year!
More than a Meal
The St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen strives to feed the whole person both body and soul. They celebrate holidays by serving meals to those who would otherwise go hungry. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are joyful times of sharing the blessings of good food as well as the love of neighbor. East St. Louis experiences a multitude of critical challenges because of the prevalent widespread poverty. They offer programs throughout the year to try to help meet some of these overwhelming physical needs.
Volunteers Needed to Provide Food: Health Department regulations state that all pre-prepared foods (casseroles, soups, meats, sandwiches, desserts, etc.) are to be prepared in a permitted facility (i.e., inspected by the appropriate Health Department). Prepared food can be purchased at grocery stores, bakeries, etc. since they are permitted by the Health Department. Homemade food is not permitted. We appreciate and depend upon the food that is donated to help feed the hungry.
St. Clare volunteers can choose to donate either:
Canned soup – equivalent to 1 gallon (128 oz.) - vegetable beef, chicken noodle or chili on a rotating schedule
Packaged deli meat, cheese and 2 loaves sandwich white bread – enough to make 25 sandwiches or 4 pks hot dogs and buns (hot dogs served on chili rotation). Do not assemble the sandwiches at home; they must be assembled on site at Cosgrove’s Kitchen.
Packaged cupcakes or cookies to feed 24 people
Volunteers Needed to Serve Food (minimum age 14):
St Clare feeds the hungry on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month; 8:30 am to Noon
In Summary:
33-34 volunteers are needed each time: 10 to bring canned soup; 10 to bring sandwich ingredients; 8 to bring store-bought dessert; and 5-6 to serve food
That means we need about 68 volunteers each month. No one is called more than once per month. The more volunteers we have, the less frequent we will call.
May God bless you and may He continue to guide our ministry and bless those we serve with hope and courage.
Please contact Debbie Oitker for more information on this St. Clare Ministry.
Phone: 314-243-9773, [email protected]
Soup Kitchen Coordinators:
Debbie Oitker, 314-243-9733, [email protected]
Jenny Vogt, 618-514-9458, [email protected]
Cathy Takacs, 618-444-8929, [email protected]
Kim Pierson; [email protected]