WESTFIELD-For more than 30 years, the El Camino members of St. Mary’s Church have been among many faith-based groups who have led the way to feed those in the city in need of a dinner meal.
On Wednesday at 4:15 p.m., the kitchen at Our Community Table came alive with El Camino members arriving with trays of salad, Spanish yellow rice, and baked chicken – in anticipation of serving approximately 55 individuals promptly at 5 p.m. The menu also included a roll with butter and ice cream for dessert.
Allyn Hall, vice president of the board of directors for Our Community Table, chats with Jaslyn Luna as she prepares the rolls.
Jaslyn Luna, 19, a student at Holyoke Community College, has been a part of the El Camino group for more than 10 years.
“I enjoy helping those in need and seeing the smiles on people’s faces,” said Luna, who started handing out plates and silverware when she was 6.
Janis Luna, 21, a senior this fall at Elms College, majoring in health care management and accounting, echoed those sentiments.
“I love to volunteer my time because it brings me closer to God,” she said, noting she has been a part of the El Camino group for 15 years.
Carmen Torres and Yolanda Mendez slice up vegetables for the salad. Torres also prepared her specialty, Spanish yellow rice, for Wednesday night’s dinner at Our Community Table.
Another 15-year volunteer, Samantha Larriu, 22, also enjoys the camaraderie she shares with the group. Currently, she works as a check-in representative for a private medical practice.
“I know how important it is to help serve the community and everyone here is like a family to me,” said Larriu.
As the hustle and bustle of the kitchen continued with all of the volunteers completing their assigned tasks, Yolanda Mendez was overseeing the operation as well as slicing vegetables for the salad.
“Serving the needy is an honor, a pleasure and a privilege,” said Mendez, adding, “We are putting God’s love into practice.”
Osvaldo Mendez, Yolanda’s husband, was also lending a hand in the kitchen in a variety of roles.
“I like serving the community and I like to see people in need being served,” said Mendez, who is studying to become a deacon through the Diocese of Springfield.
Osvaldo Mendez stirs the Spanish yellow rice that was prepared by Carmen Torres.
Our Community Table is managed by a board of directors and currently there are three open board member positions.
“Our board members are aging and we are hoping there are individuals who have an interest in seeing that the organization continues to be viable,” said Allyn Hall, who serves as vice president.
Hall noted that all board positions are on a volunteer basis and persons with backgrounds in computers, marketing, public relations, and public speaking are especially sought.
“We are financially stable but hardly rich,” said Hall. “All of the donations we receive go toward feeding city residents.”
Our Community Table is located on the corner of 101 Meadow St. and White Street with an entrance for dinner on White Street. Meals are served each night except on Saturdays. In addition to church groups, civic organizations, school students and others alternate cooking and serving meals on a regular basis on a designated day of the month, each month of the year. When a holiday falls on any day (except Saturday), a holiday meal is served on that day as well.
For Hall and his wife Mary, who have both been active at Our Community Table for 18 years, it is important to find new board members to ensure the mission continues into the future.
“I retired and wanted to give back after having a corporate position for years,” said Hall. “Having served as president for 12 years, it has especially been rewarding to see the success of the program continue with people receiving healthy meals.”
Mary Hall echoed those sentiments.
“It is important to give back when you can and by doing so it makes you feel good too,” she added.
Heidi Cassell, who has been active “behind the scenes” for five years, concurred.
“By volunteering and helping, we can make sure we continue to have this place for years to come,” said Cassell, who also serves as a board member. “Everyone who comes for a meal always expresses to us how grateful they are.”
Monetary donations are always accepted and checks can be mailed to Our Community Table, P.O. Box 2017, Westfield, MA 01086.
Food donations are also welcomed and “staples” that are useful for the kitchen’s reserve cabinets include canned fruits and vegetables, tuna fish, baked beans, pickles and olives, elbow macaroni or ziti, spaghetti sauce, cranberry sauce, salad dressings, salt and pepper, sugar, grated cheese, condiments, coffee, plastic utensils, paper napkins and towels, 13-gallon trash bags, dish detergent and scouring pads.
For more information on ways to get involved with Our Community Table, call (413) 572-9147 between 4 and 4:45 p.m. any day except Saturday. Volunteer opportunities range from board memberships and food provider groups to food line volunteers. Serving volunteers need to be a minimum of 15 years old unless accompanied by an adult. Also, “key holders” are needed and are responsible for opening and closing the kitchen doors as well as general supervision on a regular, rotating schedule.
“We are a grassroots group seeking people who want to give back to the community and stay involved,” said Hall.
