FEEDING THE FLOCK: VINCENT'S VITTLES FEEDS NEEDY IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

Joan Strohmeyer mixed slaw for a Vincent's Vittles dinner last week at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Strohmeyer cooks about four times each year for the community meals. Attendance averages about 200 people.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

-- John 21:15 (New International Version)

When Joan Strohmeyer cooks dinner at home, she prepares a meal for nine. When her parish family at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church plans a meal, at least 200 guests are expected.

Strohmeyer and her family helped cook the Vincent's Vittles meal last week at St. Vincent's Church. Nearly 100 people turned out for a dinner of sloppy joes, baked beans, cole slaw and cherry dump cake.

On the last Saturday of the month, the church hosts a free meal for the community, especially those who might otherwise do without food. The meal is part of the church's Christian service program.

Despite the crowd, Strohmeyer likes planning the meal. "I'm used to cooking for big groups," she said. She usually cooks about four meals for Vincent's Vittles each year.

Each month a different group of volunteers helps prepare and serve the meals. The volunteers can choose the menu and even shop for the food. Costs are covered by the church, said Connie Eichhorn, who serves as co-chairman of the Christian service committee.

Because cooking in large numbers typically means a meal of spaghetti, chili or lasagna, Strohmeyer likes to prepare foods that aren't geared toward a crowd and offer some variety.

"Because you usually get those foods, I like to do something different," she said. She studies recipes in cookbooks during the week prior to cooking. Her menus vary but have included turkey and dressing, soup and baked chicken and potatoes.

"It's sort of like a big parish family dinner," Eichhorn said. Nearly half those eating last week were church members.

With programs like Vincent's Vittles, which just celebrated its second anniversary, Marillac's Moveables and Catherine's Cupboard, members of St. Vincent's can see the Christian service committee at work.

Getting the programs started took a little time. The idea began about four or five years ago when members of the parish were looking for a way to help reach the community.

"We decided that if we were truly a Vincentian parish, we needed to start acting more like one," Eichhorn said. The Vincentian order is named after Vincent de Paul and is known for charitable work.

A committee was formed and gathered to discuss possible programs and ministry opportunities. The group's goal simply was to put a plan into action. One member suggested cooking a meal for the hungry, and Vincent's Vittles developed.

At the first meal, only three people showed up. People just don't believe that a meal is truly free, Eichhorn said. So a printed card now offers the invitation and is distributed through the Salvation Army, the FISH food pantry and other programs.

Even though the exact number of guests is not known in advance, the church has never run out of food. "Have you ever heard the story of the loaves and fishes?" Eichhorn asked, referring to one of Jesus' miracles in the New Testament.

If the church ran out of food, "we'd run to McDonald's and it would be hamburgers and fries," she said.

It wouldn't matter what they served at the dinners. Rufus Sides, a resident of Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center, would still enjoy the meal. Sides has attended every meal since receiving his first invitation shortly after the program began, he said. But his favorite meals have been kettle beef and any of the homemade desserts, he said.

Initially, attendance at the meals was low because few people knew about it. Because the meal is church sponsored, people often think the volunteers will be pushy and try to convert them. "That's not our intent," Eichhorn said.

Actually, the meal has been sort of a conversion experience for the parish. Seeing people who were hungry or in need has changed some attitudes among the membership.

Now that the parish has been able to put a face on hunger in the community, "they recognize that these are just normal people who just happen to be hungry," said the Rev. Joe Williams. "It has opened the eyes of people in the parish. It gives an awareness to realize that we are blessed."

For more information about the program or to volunteer, call the church office at 335-7667.