The Silence by Mary McGarry Morris
Author:Mary McGarry Morris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2024-04-15T00:00:00+00:00
THE FOOD PANTRY
Front page story. And four photos. The popular priest returns to his hometown parish and starts a much-needed food pantry in the basement of the parish church. âFather Phil is grateful for the overwhelming community support. Parishioner Dodie Weber, who is in charge of the Food Pantryâs day-to-day operation, says they are eagerly accepting volunteers.â
This is Ruthâs third day as a volunteer. No sign of the priest, but she makes sure sheâs busy every minute. Whatever Dodie or anyone needs, Ruth is right there. She runs to unload deliveries, stocks shelves, tracks inventory. She gladly sweeps, scrubs sinks and toilets in the menâs and ladiesâ rooms.
Dodie Weber is in her early seventies, so while Ruthâs help is more than welcome, Ruth is beginning to sense that she makes Dodie uneasy. Probably all her questions. Ruth wants to know everything about everyone. She doesnât just walk into the food pantry, she charges in. Thereâs an engine in her chest and brain thatâs always racing. She knows her intensity intimidates people, but she canât help it. Sometimes it feels as if thereâs not enough air to breathe. No need to come every single day, Dodie has told her as nicely as she could this morning, maybe even a bit timidly. Ruth just kept stacking cans.
A little later Ruth asks if âthe priestâ ever helps out.
Looking puzzled, Dodie asks if she is new to the parish.
âJust not much of a churchgoer,â Ruth says, quickly repeating her question.
âWhen he can,â Dodie answers. âNo set days. Father Phil doesnât have much free time.â
âIs he the only priest?â Ruth asks.
âThereâs Father Barzak,â Dodie tells her. âFather John.â Heâs seventy-four, Dodieâs age, but very arthritic. âPoor man can barely raise the host at the Consecration. Servers help him up and down the altar steps.â
When Ruth first came here, Dodie seemed grateful. It hadnât been easy finding volunteers, she said. So many women work now and daytimeâs when most of their âshoppersâ come. Well, shop in a manner of speaking. All the food here is free. They even provide bags. What they donât allow is greed, people taking more than their share.
âNow these three donât look very needy,â Dodie says quietly, noting their big, flashy purses, pretty sandals, and highlighted hair.
âCanât very well ask for proof of poverty, though, right?â Ruth says.
âTrust, all anyone can do.â Dodie sighs with a sharp second glance at Ruth.
Busy morning today. Always is at the end of the month, Ruth has learned; food stamps run low, welfare and social security checks just about gone. And, a lot more elderly shoppers, Dodie explained.
âSo how come you switched to a food pantry?â Ruth asks, pausing to lean on the broom. Sheâs just swept out the mess in the playroom. Crushed crackers from the four noisy kids leaving with their mother and grandmother.
âWell ⦠actually â¦â Dodie waits until theyâre out of earshot. âThe soup kitchen was pulling in a lot of undesirables. From all over the place. Other towns. Street people, addicts. And, other ⦠things.
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