The Journal

Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: LifeStyle

Media Credit: Martin Ribaudo Freshmen Amy Shannon and Stephanie Garrison prepare Oreos and ice cream for dessert at the Sts. Peter and Paul Community Center in Soulard. Webster University volunteers bring, prepare and serve dinner at the center once a month. The next dinner will be Oct. 16.

One night a month, Webster faculty, staff and students leave the comfort and security of their homes or dorm rooms and enter a world very different from their own - a world where some people don't know where their next meal is coming from.

This group of volunteers serves meals to the homeless and hungry at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church parish hall, located on South Seventh Street in Soulard.

Serving for the first time on Sept. 18, freshmen Amy Shannon and Stephanie Garrison both
said they were a little nervous. Both were there as a requirement for their freshman seminar class.

Shannon, a film production major, said she and art major Garrison, hated to admit they were a little scared. Both agreed they were hesitant to take their purses into the church because of the stereotype that homeless people steal.

"There were some guys standing where we needed to go in and when I said 'excuse me' to them, they turned around and just smiled at me," Shannon said. "Immediately, my guard went down."

Clyde and Dwight, who declined to offer their last names, are two people who frequent the events hosted by volunteers. Both are quiet, soft-spoken men with easy smiles.

Clyde said he isn't homeless; he just needs a "helping hand." He said he heard about Sts. Peter and Paul from two friends and has been coming to the hall for a "nice little while, about two years."

"They're doing pretty good," Clyde said.

Dwight has been coming to the hall two times a week for three months. He agreed with Clyde that Webster volunteers, "do a fine job."

Nursing professor Mary Ann Drake has been volunteering with the Webster group for eight years. She said the group shops for the food and then cooks and serves the meals. They also clean up afterward. Drake said it is rewarding to help and the people are appreciative.

Continued...

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