The Peru Gazette

David and Theresa Viti

By John T. Ryan

David and Theresa Viti have lived in Peru for about thirty years. Their children Nicole, Christina, and Daniella graduated from Peru Central and the Viti’s love the Peru community. That feeling was reinforced when the community came to their aid during Theresa’s two bouts with cancer. David Viti explained, “We’ve gotten a lot of support from the community and now we want to give back.”

The Viti’s have decided to give back by organizing a soup kitchen for two segments of our community: people who are experiencing financial challenges and people who simply need more social contact. David’s job as a Peru Central bus driver raised his awareness about families who are struggling. He said, “I see kids on the bus. I know it’s tough out there. There are also people who are eating alone. They can come to the soup kitchen and be treated as part of a family.”

In December David and Theresa approached Father Alan Shnob and asked if St. Augustine’s Church would be interested in sponsoring a soup kitchen at St. Augustine’s Parish Center.  Father Shnob was skeptical at first. The parish supports the Peru JCEO Food Shelf and Project Promise, which serves the homeless. He also knew that the Peru Community Church’s Saturday evening “Peace Meal” had closed down because of poor attendance.  However, Father Alan changed his mind thanks to the Viti’s persistence and economic realities. He explained, “The price of gasoline is predicted to reach $5 a gallon. Fuel oil assistance has been cut back. Things are getting tighter. I’ll do as I always do and rely on God’s Providence. God will provide.”  He added that if it is God’s will and the soup kitchen is not needed, any monies raised would be donated to the local food shelf or to local people in financial need.

A committee has been formed and Wednesday has been selected as the best day of the week to host dinners in Peru. The first dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 16^th.  About sixty people from both St. Augustine’s and the Peru Community Church have signed up to help out, but cooks, servers and cleanup volunteers are still needed.  So that no one will have to work too hard, the Viti’s want to have at least three working crews.

Approximately $7,000 in start-up monies will guarantee that the soup kitchen operates for the first year. $1,500 has been raised to date. Businesses, groups and individuals are invited to contribute and participate.  A crew representing a specific group would be a big lift for both the volunteering group and the soup kitchen.  Any person or group who would like to get involved should call David or Theresa Viti at 643-9856 or 420-9001.

The organizing committee includes CEO Father Alan Shnob, Project Administrators David and Theresa Viti, Secretary Jeanne Caron, Treasurers Lana Knight and Dwane Bast, Recording Secretary Sister Brian Marie Latour, Grant Writer Adele Douglas and Fundraising Chairman Kim Baldwin. Dave Casey and David Viti will oversee the kitchen. Donald McBrayer is website administrator. (Click here for the website)