Saint Vinny's: filling stomachs, enriching lives

Intermountain Catholic

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Saint Vincent de Paul Dining Hall strives to offer nutritious food to those in need. The dining hall serves both lunch and dinner. IC photo/Jenn Sparks

SALT LAKE CITY – Dinner at Vinny’s was named the Best Miracle Food of 2013 by City Weekly.

Dinner at Vinny’s is operated by Catholic Community Services at the Saint Vincent de Paul Dining Hall, 437 West 200 South in Salt Lake City. The program, formerly known as the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, was started 31 years ago by the Wasatch Presbyterian Church. In late 2011 Catholic Community Services took over full operation of the dining hall’s evening meal after the Salvation Army stepped out.

By serving meals to the Salt Lake City’s homeless and hungry people – 393,735 meals last year alone – St. Vincent de Paul has changed the lives of many.

Among those is Anthony, who said he has been wandering in the street for almost two years and if not for meals at the dining hall he would not know what to do.

"I come here almost every day, wait in line and have my meal," said Anthony. "They make me feel that I am worthy and that someone cares."

"Hunger is a way of life," states the website http://dinneratvinnys.org. "No one is without it, and we believe no one should be without a way to satisfy the basic need for food. It is said most of us are one or two paychecks away from homelessness and hunger. So with humility and gratitude for our abundance, Dinner at Vinny’s is an attempt to share what we have. Students, scout troops, book clubs, neighborhood associations, merchants, church groups, individuals from all walks of life have been a part of this effort."

Among those volunteers is Aaron Clinger. "I love to come here and volunteer a few hours, serving and helping with the meals," said Clinger, who started doing that because he remembers he was once in a bad situation.

"I lost my house – could not afford the mortgage payments. My wife and I were terrified of our future, but with a helping hand and with the grace of God we were able to keep on going, and now is my time to step out for those in need," said Clinger.

A hot lunch is served every day at the dining hall. Then, at 4:30 p.m. every day, volunteer groups bring about 600 premade sandwiches for Dinner at Vinny’s.

From 5 to 6 p.m. those volunteers join the CCS staff in serving sandwiches along with a hot bowl of soup and beverages.

Volunteers also socialize with the guests and after the meal they help to clean up and wash dishes.

For information or to volunteer, visit volunteer@dinneratvinnys.org or contact Monica Rich, volunteer coordinator, at 801-363-7710 ext. 1416.