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The
Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
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Second Helpings, assisting others in need
by Ken Boesenberg |
Late last fall two area women, Jill Mack, Associate Pastor at the United Methodist Church and Youth Director for the church, Andi McCurdy-Savago, began talking about two concerns.
First, there was a lot of good food being wasted and second, there are people in the community who need it.
They thought that something should be done to make better use of wasted food.
As they tossed various ideas around another person became involved, Erin Waskow. Waskow is the secretary/treasurer of the Delaware County Food Pantry and, as well, the secretary at the United Methodist Church.
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KEN BOESENBERG / Press
Pictured above, from left to right, Andi McCurdy-Savago, Jill Mack and Erin Waskow who’s initial idea has blossomed into the Second Helpings program on Monday nights at the United Methodist Church in Manchester. Below, Kathy Waterman arranges clothes that are also offered free to anyone who comes to the Second Helpings meal. |
Her connection was important because of her knowledge of the need for food in the area. This was just the start of a small network that would grow in leaps and bounds over a short period of time.
Andi McCurdy-Savago explained the networking this way.
“When we first started it was like taking two times two and getting four. In a short while we were taking two times two and getting 10 or 20. It was just amazing.”
They still needed verification of the need so three area groups were contacted. The Department of Human Services, Operation New View and WIC (Women, Infants and Children).
Everyone involved agreed that there was a definite need and that something could and should be done.
An initial committee was formed. Joining Mack, McCurdy-Savago and Waskow were Jackie Sherman, Mia Gibbs, Diane Miller and Don Peigors.
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They sent out letters to area businesses informing them of their intentions and asking for as much support as they could give.
The response was very good and “Second Helpings,” born in the fall of 2006, their goal was to serve their first meal on Monday night, January 15.
That first night more than 40 people turned out. In the weeks that have followed a total of more than 700 people have taken advantage of the Second Helpings Monday night free meal.
The meal is open to the public on a no questions asked format. Some come for the meal and fellowship, others strictly out of the need for something to eat.
“Some people have called and would like to come and eat but don’t have a way to get here. So on a limited basis, for those with a real need, we have been providing round trip transportation,” said Mack.
“If that need continues to grow I can see us being in need of a van so we can be more efficient in transporting people.”
“We want people to feel free to come and enjoy a good meal irregardless of the circumstances that bring them here,” said Mack.
Preparing food for 75 to 100 people takes a lot of planing and a lot of extra help.
“The volunteer help has been so overwhelming that we are now setting up schedules for various teams to come in and help with the food preparation, dishes, bussing tables and so on,” commented McCurdy-Savago.
Volunteer teams have come from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church in Edgewood, the Girl Scouts and the Lutheran Church Youth Group. And, as well, there are many walk-in volunteers along with members of the host church.
In recent weeks a new wrinkle has been added to the Second Helpings meal.
Kathy Waterman who operates Request, a free clothing business, has begun giving clothes away at the meals.
She has clothes for infants to adults that she brings up each Monday night and neatly displays on three to four eight foot tables.
Mrs. Waterman started a year ago by taking a $100 Kingdom Assignment at the church. With that $100 she has catapulted into a huge source of free clothing for needy people. She gets all of her clothes donated from either individuals or from several of the used clothing stores in town.
These clothes are then organized and offered free to anyone who needs them.
At the end of the evening, when the last person has been fed, any food that has not been used is put into containers and set out to be taken home by those who have come to eat.
In the inception the committee thought that they would give their idea six months and then set down and see if it was something that could continue.
“With the turnout we have had and the support we are getting, I think our six month decision has already been made,” said McCurdy-Savago.
“We are planning a celebration of sorts for Monday, April 16. It will be our “Carnival Night” where we will stray from our normal menu and offer games, brats, popcorn, cotton candy and an assortment of other fun and tasty things,” added McCurdy-Savago.
Second Helpings started when two people shared the same thoughts about a single idea; from there it has grown into a happening that has touched the lives of many, many people over the past few months.
With the continued generosity of people in this community it will touch the lives of many more people on Monday nights in the basement of the United Methodist Church.
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Surprise, Matt!
by Alison Nesteby |
ALISON NESTEBY/Press
Bruce Kimm presents Matt Marbach with a lineup card from a Cubs game he coached during the send-off.
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Matt Marbach of Manchester had quite the overwhelming week. After being chosen as the Iowa representative for the Children’s Miracle Network, which sent him to Washington, D.C and Orlando, Fla., a surprise send-off was planned for him by St. Mary’s School.
The 12-year-old who lost his left arm in a farm accident almost two years ago, has always been a huge baseball fan, and was surprised when Bruce Kimm, former major league baseball player and former Chicago Cubs manager, showed up at the assembly and presented him with a bag of baseball goodies, along with an actual lineup card from a Cubs game he coached.
“I believe you’re a hero. I believe you’re a champion, and I think you were chosen by God to do some really good things in this world,” stated Kimm.
Representatives from the Children’s Miracle Network were also in attendance, and to educate the audience a little more about their cause, the sixth grade boys each held up letters spelling “We Believe in Matt,” and read a little about the Children’s Miracle Network. |
Council holds several public hearings
by Latisha Sand |
The Manchester City Council held several public hearings at their recent meeting, including one on the Schram Drive Improvements Project. The scheduled hearing for the incentive package for All Energy Manchester, LLC was rescheduled for April 9.
The council confirmed plans, specifications and estimated cost for the Schram Park Improvement Project and TeKippe Engineering, P.C. estimated that the project total would be $246,326.25. Bids for the project must be filed before 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 5 at the Manchester City Hall. The bids will be opened on that date and considered at the April 9 council meeting. Construction could begin in June of this year and last until August or September.
The council also held a public hearing on the proposal to enter into a loan agreement for $45,000. The action was approved and $25,000 will go toward aquatic center repairs and $20,000 will go toward a new squad car. The council will collect the money the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The council also approved to issue a $150,000 bond, which was approved a year ago when the money was not needed. According to City Manager Tim Vick, now that the money is needed, the council decided to implement the urban renewal tax increment revenue bond.
The council discussed including the 100 and 200 blocks of West Marion on the south side of town into the downtown district. Most of the buildings on those two blocks are already set up as downtown district buildings and changing the district would make it easier for those buildings and businesses to take part in programs such as the Downtown Incentive Program.
The council also approved:
• to waive their right to review a plat being sold by Betty Lou Fuller. The property is just outside the city’s two-mile radius.
• to have all abandoned, and non-identified, bikes sold for $10 per bike to Kevin Husman.
• to purchase a new siren for the east side of Manchester for approximately $2,500.
• Gibbs Engineering and Surveying to construct water, sewer, storm drainage and street improvements for the Honey Creek Addition. The cost of the project will be more than $36,000, which the city will pay $21,560 and the developer will pay $15,040. |
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