| Emmanuele Dinning Room Ministry of Caring Delaware |
Hunger is not some distant concern. The
situation is more real than some of us would
like to imagine and all too real for many
Delawareans. Thanks to Brother Cory Moody of
the Emmanuel Dining Room, a service of The
Ministry of Caring, I was able to see this first
hand.
Everyone is welcome at an EDR and their goal
is to cover the basic needs of their guests.
Information on services are available, but the
EDR takes a “no questions asked” approach
since, as Br. Cory states, “It can be a struggle to
walk through the door.” The Ministry of Caring
believes that the “poor should not be treated
poorly” and that “everyone should be treated
with love, dignity and respect.”
With a quick smile and an even quicker wit, this
native New Yorker and his team keep 3
locations, EDR West (2nd & Jackson), EDR East
(3rd & Walnut St.) and EDR South (Rogers Road,
New Castle) running smoothly throughout the
year. EDR West is the largest of the dining
rooms. It is open every day, including major
holidays, for breakfast and lunch. This location
alone provides an average of 600-900 meals per
day.
After donning an apron, hair bonnet and gloves
the doors opened it was my time to learn a
great deal about who comes to share a meal at
EDR. I didn’t expect the wide age range.
Families with young children sitting tall in their
booster seats ate alongside, singles, couples
and senior citizens.
situation is more real than some of us would
like to imagine and all too real for many
Delawareans. Thanks to Brother Cory Moody of
the Emmanuel Dining Room, a service of The
Ministry of Caring, I was able to see this first
hand.
Everyone is welcome at an EDR and their goal
is to cover the basic needs of their guests.
Information on services are available, but the
EDR takes a “no questions asked” approach
since, as Br. Cory states, “It can be a struggle to
walk through the door.” The Ministry of Caring
believes that the “poor should not be treated
poorly” and that “everyone should be treated
with love, dignity and respect.”
With a quick smile and an even quicker wit, this
native New Yorker and his team keep 3
locations, EDR West (2nd & Jackson), EDR East
(3rd & Walnut St.) and EDR South (Rogers Road,
New Castle) running smoothly throughout the
year. EDR West is the largest of the dining
rooms. It is open every day, including major
holidays, for breakfast and lunch. This location
alone provides an average of 600-900 meals per
day.
After donning an apron, hair bonnet and gloves
the doors opened it was my time to learn a
great deal about who comes to share a meal at
EDR. I didn’t expect the wide age range.
Families with young children sitting tall in their
booster seats ate alongside, singles, couples
and senior citizens.
All meals are served to the guests — nothing cafeteria style. This is one of the two ways EDR needs
volunteers. Servers are needed for lunch. The other need is for “Kitchen Committees.” Committees
prepare nutritious meals with food they bring or with food from the pantry.
Br. Cory believes that the first of the two best ways to combat hunger is for people to donate to
organizations that aid the community. The second is for people to look around and see what’s
going on. He believes that it’s “universally human to help.” Whatever the reason that brings
people to EDR for a meal and companionship they will always be “treated as they should be — as
human beings.”
Thank you Br. Cory, Sr. Bernadette and the rest of the EDR team for making a difference in the
community. It shouldn’t be too long before you see me back in the hair bonnet.
volunteers. Servers are needed for lunch. The other need is for “Kitchen Committees.” Committees
prepare nutritious meals with food they bring or with food from the pantry.
Br. Cory believes that the first of the two best ways to combat hunger is for people to donate to
organizations that aid the community. The second is for people to look around and see what’s
going on. He believes that it’s “universally human to help.” Whatever the reason that brings
people to EDR for a meal and companionship they will always be “treated as they should be — as
human beings.”
Thank you Br. Cory, Sr. Bernadette and the rest of the EDR team for making a difference in the
community. It shouldn’t be too long before you see me back in the hair bonnet.
By Christa McLaughlin
Delawareonline
Delawareonline