Goodrich- Resident Corkey Bohlen has found a way to both feed the hungry and nourish her soul.
Sitting in the low lights of St. Marks Catholic Church Hall, Bohlen, 81, and friends Joanne Czarniak, 74, and Merle Krokosky, 67, discuss Catholic Charities North End Soup Kitchen (NESK) in Flint, where they volunteer every Tuesday.
Bohlen has been lending a hand at the kitchen for more than 20 years. She recalls when St. Marks first signed up to give assistance in the kitchen’s program of providing a free, three course meal to those in need.
‘They asked all the churches in the area to help,? says Bohlen. ‘St. Marks picked every fifth Friday of the month, so it was originally only about four times a year.?
Bohlen says she was asked to serve as coordinator within the church for people wanting to volunteer at the NESK.
‘It was something to do to give back to God for all He’s done for me,? says Bohlen.
Czarniak began volunteering at the kitchen in 1993; Krokosky in 1996.
Tuesdays, the three women carpool to the kitchen at Saginaw and Stewart avenues, amid vacant factories in Flint’s impoverished north side.
‘It’s an area that is deprived of jobs,? says John Manse, program director for NESK. ‘A lot of businesses exited long ago and continue to exit. It’s a place where families are still living, and there’s no real jobs.?
And while some might drive through the area with windows up and doors locked, Bohlen says she’s never been given any trouble.
A random cluster of humanity can be found waiting in line each afternoon for the day’s meal. The people in need here are a smattering of different ages, races and situations.
‘They are just victims of circumstance,? says Krokosky.
‘There’s a lot of families,? says Bohlen.
‘That is what hits you,? says Krokosky. ? It hits you here,? she says, gesturing toward her heart, ? when you see children clinging to their parents.?
The needy come to the kitchen not only for the food, but other services offered by Catholic Charities as well.
A ‘personal needs bank? allows individuals to get necessary items such as toiletries and infant formula at no cost. The organization sponsors a summer camp where kids can go to learn and play in a safe environment, and a Christmas program bringing gifts to those who might otherwise not receive a present.
Additionally, several sack lunch programs are set up in the city to distribute to the hungry.
Because so many needy depend on the meal provided at NESK, the kitchen is open every day, all year long.
‘We serve meals every single day because hunger doesn’t take a day off, so neither do we,? says Manse.
All three women are quick to speak for both the gratitude and manners displayed by the kitchen’s clientele as they receive their meal.
Visitors are fed from food provided by the Michigan Food Bank and prepared by volunteers. Nothing stale or expired is served.
‘We don’t serve what we wouldn’t eat,? says Krokosky.
And while they like the people they feed, the women say they are saddened to see the numbers in line for a meal swell as the economy continues to suffer.
Manse says the kitchen serves 500-700 meals each day. Last year, he says, they served a record 160,000 meals, an increase of nearly 13,000 from the previous year.
‘Now, in the last nine months, it’s almost doubled,? says Czarniak.
Krokosky says she used to see people come back to the NESK a few times to get them through for a couple of tough weeks. Now, she says, the duration of desperation seems to be increasing.
‘You realize how lucky you are when you see these people,? says Bohlen. ‘I take my grandkids so they can know how lucky they are.?
With the spirit of giving that is synonymous with the holidays in full swing, the women say they are seeing the annual surge in volunteers at the kitchen.
‘Thanksgiving they turn people away, there are so many,? says Czarniak.
However, when the flood of volunteers that accompanies yuletide cheer begins to ebb, hunger remains constant.
Manse says numbers of those in need actually increase in the warmer months, while the amount of volunteers drops.
‘They always need volunteers, especially on the weekends,? says Czarniak. ‘When we get men volunteers it’s great, because they can help lift the heavy pans.?
For the dependability and experience offered by the three women, Manse is immensely grateful.
‘We rely on these three ladies. It’s sort of like having experienced staff without having to pay them,? says Manse.
As for Bohlen, Czarniak and Krokosky, they will continue to make their weekly journey so long as they are able.
‘We are all getting older so there’s health problems that come up, but as soon as (the person that was sick) gets better, they’re back,? says Czarniak.’If there’s a reason I can’t go, I feel the loss through the whole week,? she adds.
Krokosky agrees, saying she looks forward to seeing the smiles on the faces of those she serves each week as well as meeting other volunteers.
?(That appreciation) makes you get over there,? adds Czarniak. ‘And makes you count your blessings.?