Taking the Time to Make a Difference

Whenever the question was asked at the parish food pantry in Linton, Ind., the late Father Hilary Vieck always had the same answer. Someone would wonder, “How do we decide if they are really needy?” The answer was, “Just feed them.” Father Vieck died in November 2008, but his vision of an ecumenical food pantry and thrift shop is being realized. Five churches are working together, and a sixth is joining the group. The original building served the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society. Now, it has been renovated, an addition has been constructed, and the new Linton Community Food Pantry has been dedicated in honor of Father Vieck. Father Vieck was named pastor of St. Peter Church in Linton back in 1990. The history of churches working together goes back much earlier, to 1963, according to Martha Roach, treasurer of the food pantry and thrift store. The Catholic Church building was declared unsafe and unusable in 1963, and the Saron United Church of Christ welcomed the Catholic community, providing a place to celebrate Mass until a new St. Peter Church could be built. St. Peter’s and Saron UCC began working together to expand the pantry in early 2008. The Linton United Methodist Church and the Linton First Christian Church were next to join in, and then, Trinity Lutheran. The Linton Assembly of God is the sixth congregation. One of the ways to raise money for this ecumenical vision involved another form of vision – the watercolors of scenes around the area painted by Father Vieck. During his life and after his death, his watercolors and the calendars that featured them helped raise funds. Over the years, Roach recalls, there were times when donations were low. “It seems like, when money would dwindle down, somehow money would come in.” Father Vieck was a firm believer that God would provide the money that was needed. “And I think some times it came from him,” Roach said. From January to June this year, the pantry’s providence went to satisfy 930 family requests, filling 2,109 bags with food for 3,243 hungry people. (Those numbers represent some repeated assistance, but food is given only once a month.) Donations of clothing and other items to the thrift shop – sold at moderate prices -- help buy more food. Almost $10,000 was spent in the first half of the year for that purpose. Everything helps. The pantry’s logo includes the words, “A can can make a difference.” Participating church members know they can make a difference in other areas, too. They serve at an agency helping pay winter heating bills and in a program providing free lunches for children in the summer. The vision of ecumenical ministry came closer to reality as Father Vieck’s health slipped farther away. Before he died, he learned of the plans to dedicate the building in his honor. At his funeral, the Rev. Mike Roth said that Father Vieck wasn’t just the pastor of St. Peter’s; he was the pastor of Linton.

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It is quite an example that was set by Father Hilary Vieck, the Rev. Mike Roth, other ministers and leaders, the officers of the food pantry and all of the members of the congregations who supported the idea and now continue to support the reality. The obvious question to ask at this point is simple: How are things in your town? An answer to that question would involve looking at people in need and finding a way to connect them with people who have the resources to help them. If you find a way to give food to the hungry, and if you find yourself wondering if they really need your assistance, follow Father Vieck and just feed them.

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