Monthly program feeds the hungry in Johnson City and beyond
By Connie McKinney, contributing writer & photographer
Stephen Grausgruber, a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Church in North Syracuse, drove more than an hour this past weekend to help feed those in need last weekend at St. James Church in Johnson City.
“I wanted to help spread the joy of the season,” he said. “Christ came to serve not to be served. We are to imitate him.”
Clara Swierk, left; and Abby Giblin serve water, juice and other drinks at A Faithful Feast, a monthly free dinner held at St. James Church in Johnson City.
Grausgruber was one of eight men studying to become deacons who volunteered at the Dec. 8 free monthly dinner known as A Faithful Feast. Scheduled to be ordained in 2026, the deacons-in-training were invited to volunteer at the special holiday dinner by their classmate, Jan DeAngelo. DeAngelo, the parish’s longtime music director, founded the feast with his wife, Shannon.
“We are called as deacons to serve,” said DeAngelo, whose inspiration to start the dinner last year came from the quote in James 2:14-26 that, “faith without works is dead.”
More than 100 people attended Sunday’s dinner. Those present had the opportunity to take home free clothes, toiletries and food such as canned goods, fresh vegetables and fruits. They also received Christmas gifts and listened to Christmas carols performed by parish musicians. The delightful aroma of baked ham filled the church hall and helpers ensured that everyone had at least one Christmas cookie for dessert.
Once everyone had eaten, volunteers, including the diaconate students, brought takeout dinner, clothes and blankets to homeless people living on the riverbanks and streets.
DeAngelo’s diaconate classmates helped in numerous ways on Sunday. One classmate, Ron Barnes, played Santa Claus, handing out gifts and hugs to those at the dinner. Another classmate, David Nesbitt; sorted clothes and helped those in need pick out clothing at the dinner’s clothing giveaway tables.
David Nesbitt, left; and his wife, Jodi; fold clothes to be given to those in need at A Faithful Feast, a monthly free dinner held at St. James Church in Johnson City. Nesbitt was one of eight deacon aspirants who volunteered at the dinner.
“We couldn’t think of a better thing to do in Advent than to come down and help,” said Nesbitt, who volunteered along with his wife, Jodi. “For those of us who are in the diaconate formation, our whole life is to serve. It’s an honor to be of any help to people, especially this time of year.”
Other volunteers at the dinner are students of DeAngelo, who also teaches theology and music at Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton. They are known as the “Angels in Black” for the black T-shirts they wear.
As people ate and drank and socialized, the Angels in Black, including Clara Swierk and Abby Giblin, wandered the church hall to make sure everyone stayed hydrated. They pushed a beverage cart and gave out drinks.
“I like to volunteer and be helpful,” said Swierk, 12, a sixth-grade pupil at St. John the Evangelist School in Binghamton.
Added Giblin, a 13-year-old eighth-grade student at Seton Catholic Central High School in Binghamton, “I just like helping people in need.”
Across the room, Maylan Dellow and Jackson Davis pushed another beverage cart, cheerfully giving out water and juice. Both are 14-year-old freshmen at Seton.
“It’s good for teens to learn to help people,” Davis said.
Meanwhile, his partner, Dellow, never stopped smiling throughout the entire event. She said she enjoys volunteering at the dinner and is learning many valuable skills.
“It’s a good act of kindness. I think it can go a long way,” she said of her volunteer work at the dinner. “I’m learning how to bring kindness to the world.”
How to help:
To learn more information about A Faithful Feast, including how to donate, go to https://stjamesjc.org/ministries/a-faithful-feast/
