Windber kitchen will feed body, soul

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WACK members (from left) Linda Houghton, Dawn Rager and Janet Berkey Vatavuk, are seen in the kitchen at the Calvary United Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Ave., Windber. John Rucosky

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June 21, 2009

By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI The Tribune-Democrat Tue Dec 08, 2009, 01:51 PM EST

WINDBER — Good Samaritans in the Windber area are taking a “WACK” out of hunger.

Ten churches have joined with businesses and organizations to form the Windber Area Community Kitchen (WACK), which will serve hot meals for area residents.

The kitchen is open the last Saturday of the month from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Ave.

A 6 p.m. worship service with contemporary Christian music will follow.

“With all the layoffs we want to help people in the area,” said Dawn Rager, who co-chairs the organization with Dee Fisher.

“The last Saturday of the month is typically when the bills come in and the money is gone,” she said.

The idea is to feed body and soul.

“Feeding of the soul is showing the love for Christ,” Rager said. “Some will come for the meal, some for the worship, some will come for both.”

All are invited – no questions asked, she said.

The idea or vision of a community kitchen was a year in the works and made real only recently, WACK Secretary Linda Houghton said.

The organization is looking for volunteers and donations.

Janet Berkey Vatavuk, a member of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hooversville, volunteered after learning of the mission.

“I thought it was a worthwhile project, and I wanted to be part of it,” said Vatavuk, WACK treasurer.

Information on local churches will be available, organizers said.

“If we can get somebody to attended any church, that’s what we want,” Rager said.

“People need inspiration. They need hope.”

The group is actively seeking volunteers and donations so that in time the kitchen will be open daily.

“With the Lord’s help it will become a 24/7 service,” Houghton said. “Where ever the Lord leads.”

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