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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor CHICOPEE It's just a few minutes before the doors open at Lorraine's Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry and there's quite a line of people waiting to receive their evening meal. Volunteers help make the daily servings possible and this year, the Soup Kitchen will be honoring the parish family of St. Stanislaus Basilica, Bishop and Martyr, and Claire and Arleen Destromp as its 2006 volunteer award winners at the dinner following its fourth annual benefit golf tournament on Aug. 27. The Soup Kitchen on Center Street is the city's only weeknight dinner and food pantry program. The Kitchen serves annually serves over 30,000 evening meals and provides emergency food to an additional 1,200 families. Lorraine Houle, the program executive director, said, "It's so easy every year to come up with so many names and organizations. I wish we could present them all an award at once." St. Stanislaus Basilica will be receiving the "Rev. Jonathan Tetherly Award," which is presented to a group or business that has donated significant contributions of time, volunteers, food or money. Tetherly is recognized as the founder of the Soup Kitchen. Since 1991, the parish has made contributions to the Soup Kitchen and Walter Stec, who acts as the parish's liaison, explained that he asks the various clubs and ministries within the parish to contribute time to the Soup Kitchen. Stec has been working at the Soup Kitchen once a month for over 15 years. On Thursday, Sonja Grinuk of the parish's Rosary Society was with Stec helping to prepare and serve that day's dinner. She explained the Soup Kitchen staff keeps the menu the same when they volunteer so preparing the meal is easier. When asked why he volunteers, Stec said, "Just look at the people who are here. The need is obvious." The "Paul E. Samson Award," which is given to an individual or couple who have donated many hours of volunteer service is going to the mother and daughter team of Claire and Arleen Destromp. Sampson is currently serving his 25th year as a member of the Soup Kitchen's board. Claire began cooking at the Soup Kitchen shortly after it opened in 1990 and her daughter Arleen began volunteering in 1996. The team assists in the preparation and serving of the meal five or six times a month. Claire recalled that she heard an announcement at Holy Name Church for volunteers and began her time at the Soup Kitchen. "It's very exciting," Claire said of the award. The Soup Kitchen's golf benefit will take place Aug. 27 at Chicopee Country Club at 1290 Burnett Rd. It will begin with a scramble/shotgun format at 12:30 p.m. and the $80 per player fee includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart and green fees. There will be a hole in one contest, as well as a contest for closest to the pin, longest drive and most accurate drive. The awards dinner at the Moose Family Center, 244 Fuller Rd., is included in the $80 donation, however people can attend the dinner separately for $25. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:15 p.m. The dinner is a choice of roast prime rib or baked stuffed chicken. The deadline for reservations for both events is Aug. 21. Call 592-9528 for more information. |