L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

Every Friday morning Mattie Shalofsky of Wantagh volunteers at the Interfaith Nutrition Network’s soup kitchen in Freeport. She has been there for 10 years – helping with the setup and preparation  of food as well as serving and cleaning up.     
She is one of the “small miracles” that Jean Kelly, executive director of INN, speaks about in her ‘Welcome Message’ found at the INN website. “The INN has become a true conduit for people’s compassion, and is a living example of how people of all faiths can share their common faith in humanity. The miracle of giving takes place each day at the INN. All we have to do is to show up and be a witness and loving participant,” said Ms. Kelly.
   
For Mattie, the experience is more practical than spiritual. “My husband retired and was looking for something to do. Someone told him they needed volunteers at the kitchen [INN] in Freeport. So we went together,” explained Mattie. She said “He worked in the kitchen and I helped out front.”
   
That was 10 years ago and Mattie is still “out front” helping her neighbors.        
“Trader Joe’s gives us bread and we get some fruit donated and make some fruit salads,” she said.
   
“At noon, we officially open. We all have different stations,” Mattie explained. “First you get bread, then a main course like lasagna, chicken, sausage and peppers; there are potatoes, a vegetable, soup and pizza. Also fruit and salad,” she said. “I believe we see about 75 to 125 people each visit. They line up outside and wait for us to open. We go to our stations and serve lunch.” The Freeport INN serves a hot lunch five days a week, Monday through Friday.
   
“You do see some of the same people. We smile at each other in greeting, but I don’t know their names,” she said.
   
Mrs. Shalofsky gets in around 9 a.m. and is usually there until 1 p.m., cleaning up. But this is not a chore. “It is a congenial atmosphere; very pleasant,” she said.
   
Mrs. Shalofsky added that  “It’s not just me. There are a group of us that go each week. We’ve become friends.” Mattie provided a list of the Friday volunteers, including Joan Carey (Amityville); Tony and Dolores Genovese (Massapequa); Fran and Artie Greenfield (East Meadow); Gloria Kastein (Bellmore); Ron Lacey (Massapequa); Linda Jewels (Freeport): Carol  Wilson (Wantagh); Jim Smith (Freeport); Helen Spencer (Massapequa) and coordinator Regina Greene of Bellmore and Bill Isenberg (Baldwin).
   
When this newspaper asked Mrs. Shalofsky what inspired her to do this, she looks bemused, as if this was the simplest task in the world. Her silence seems to say that the simple truth is that people need help. Finally, Mrs. Shalofsky replied, “It feels good.”

INN’s Wish list this Holiday Season
The most needed nonperishable food drive items:
   
Canned meats; canned tuna and salmon; peanut butter; jelly (no glass); canned or dry soups; canned stews and chili; tea bags; coffee (ground); canned pasta; canned vegetables; canned fruits; canned pasta (spaghetti “O’s”); hot and cold cereals; rice; cake mixes; pancake mix; syrup; powdered milk; packaged pasta (macaroni and cheese, etc.); juice boxes; canned juices; canned beans; Spam; canned gravy; granulated sugar; baby food and cereal (glass jars accepted); baby formula (Enfamil/Similac); granola bars and cereal bars.
   
Most needed personal care items, travel size preferred:
   
Toothpaste; toothbrushes; deodorant; disposable razors; hair brushes and combs; shaving cream; mouthwash, shampoo and conditioner; facial and toilet tissue; soap towels; laundry bags and laundry baskets; socks (new); men’s underwear (new).
   
Baby items include diapers; baby wipes; baby clothes; baby socks; baby tee shirts; baby formula.
   
These items can be dropped off Monday-Friday, from 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. at: Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen, 100 Madison Avenue Hempstead, 11550; call 486-6243.
   
Immediate needs include toothpaste; deodorant; razors; undergarments (men, women and children sizes); umbrellas; Pampers (all sizes – especially 4 and 5); pajamas (men, women and children); Metro Cards; towels (body, face and wash cloths).
   
For emergency shelters: new sheets (full and twin) and new towels. Please, no perishable or glass items.

Easing hunger in your neighborhood
In addition to the Interfaith Nutrition Network, the following churches provide food to the community.

    • St. Barnabas Bellmore: 785-6243.
    • Curé of Ars, Merrick: 632-1400.
    • Holy Redeemer, Freeport: 378-0665.
    • Long Island Council of Churches, Freeport: 868-8289.
    • Maria Regina, Seaford: 795-7438.
    • Refuge Church of Christ, Freeport: 868-0400.
    • Sacred Heart, Merrick: 379-6123.
    • Salvation Army, Freeport: 771-7982.
    • St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh: 785-2333.
    • St. William the Abbot, Seaford: 679-8532.
    • St. Christopher’s, Baldwin: 223-0723.
    • St. James in Seaford: 735-8690.
    • Spanish Evangelical Church, Freeport: 771-7982.
     • Word of Life Ministries, Freeport: 546-2883.

By Laura Schofer

Laura Schofer, staff writer for L&M Publications, has been recognized with several awards for many of her feature pieces published in Bellmore and Merrick Life, The Citizen and The Leader.