Soup Kitchen Holds Dinner To Help The Hungry
By: Aaron Cheslock
Updated: November 4, 2012
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Ashley Kephart says there are plenty of reasons folks are going hungry these days.
"The family, the bills... The way the economy is, people can't afford food no more, and if you have to go get help, then do it."
Kephart, affectionately known as "Butch" lives in the Evergreen Manor Apartments, he's no stranger to food banks.
"Sometimes I didn't have food month to month, and I'd go to the food bank and get help."
Kephart says while many folks need the food, only some actually go.
"Most people are embarrassed to go to the food bank, "Why?" They'll think well I couldn't make it on my own, and they won't go to the food bank at all and get help."
One of the pantries that Kephart stresses for hungry people to go to is having their biggest fundraiser Friday night at the Casino in Altoona, they're cracking claws and serving fish all for a good cause.
700 pounds of crab, 250 pounds of shrimp, At the 18th Annual Crab Fest, the Saint Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen brought out 700 locals to raise money for the hungry. Sister Delgrosso runs the soup kitchen, she says it's a community effort.
"Nobody wants to see anybody go hungry and that's why this community has come forth and has been a tremendous help to them."
Sister Delgrosso has had a food kitchen for 21 years,trying to combat the embarrassment of asking for food, she says how you treat those who come in is as important as the meal itself.
"...We respect them, they know that, we made them feel comfortable so that they wouldn't feel embarrassed."
Making sure folks like Kephart don't go home hungry.
"I'm glad that there are food banks around, to help people out, and don't be embarrassed to go get help."
"The family, the bills... The way the economy is, people can't afford food no more, and if you have to go get help, then do it."
Kephart, affectionately known as "Butch" lives in the Evergreen Manor Apartments, he's no stranger to food banks.
"Sometimes I didn't have food month to month, and I'd go to the food bank and get help."
Kephart says while many folks need the food, only some actually go.
"Most people are embarrassed to go to the food bank, "Why?" They'll think well I couldn't make it on my own, and they won't go to the food bank at all and get help."
One of the pantries that Kephart stresses for hungry people to go to is having their biggest fundraiser Friday night at the Casino in Altoona, they're cracking claws and serving fish all for a good cause.
700 pounds of crab, 250 pounds of shrimp, At the 18th Annual Crab Fest, the Saint Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen brought out 700 locals to raise money for the hungry. Sister Delgrosso runs the soup kitchen, she says it's a community effort.
"Nobody wants to see anybody go hungry and that's why this community has come forth and has been a tremendous help to them."
Sister Delgrosso has had a food kitchen for 21 years,trying to combat the embarrassment of asking for food, she says how you treat those who come in is as important as the meal itself.
"...We respect them, they know that, we made them feel comfortable so that they wouldn't feel embarrassed."
Making sure folks like Kephart don't go home hungry.
"I'm glad that there are food banks around, to help people out, and don't be embarrassed to go get help."
