Latest Blog Posts

A Random Act of Kindness

Although the serving of the daily community meal at St Ben’s begins at 5:00 pm, guests sometimes start lining up outside the door at 4:00, or even earlier. Convinced that the waiting time could be utilized in a more constructive way than simply standing in place, staff decided to institute what has become known as “Talk Tuesday.” All who are in line at 4:15 on Tuesdays are invited into the hall, provided a drink and snack, and encouraged to “talk” about the topic of the day. Selected by social worker Linda Barnes, the question is designed to elicit upbeat answers, so that—in the words of Ms Barnes—at the conclusion of the session at 5:00 pm participants will “feel a little bit better than they did when they came in.”

Lemonade Stands, Kids and Summer

Bill and Margaret Solberg, hospitality ministers at St. Ben's Community Meal, were pleased when one set of grandchildren chose to come to their home for a summer vacation. Sarah Joy and Seiler live on a farm in central Wisconsin, so they enjoy the opportunity to make a list of things to do in the city. First on the list was hosting a lemonade stand. This was a surprise to the Solbergs; but they soon realized that a farm may only have five cars pass it on a summer day – not a recipe for success.

Thank You!

This past Friday we celebrated our now retired Administrative Director, Gerri Sheets-Howard. We thank her for seventeen years of loyal service to Capuchin Community Services. The community at large, came together to bestow blessings upon her and to wish her all the best in the next leg of her walk with God. It was a beautiful day!

A Dinner to Remember

Some years ago the St Ben’s Meal Program (now Capuchin Community Services) partnered with Heartland Alliance to construct a new apartment building with over thirty units of affordable housing for especially vulnerable members of our community. Were it not for the “Capuchin Apartments” as the building was officially named, many of the current residents would undoubtedly be homeless. Since the beginning, St Ben’s has organized different groups from throughout the community to provide a monthly meal for any of the residents wanting to gather and eat in the building’s common room. The most recent sponsor was a Boy Scout troop from the city, who arrived with approximately ten members and four leaders.