Not Bread Alone loses 2nd director in a year

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on November 20, 2009

A soup kitchen that provides hot meals three times a week, as well as other critical services to the homeless and poor, will soon have its third coordinator in less than a year.

The most recent soup kitchen coordinator, Hilda Rivera, is no longer at the Not Bread Alone site. Amy Royal, a Northampton attorney and board member for the Center for Human Development, the Springfield-based organization that oversees the soup kitchen, said she did not know if Rivera was let go, if she resigned or if she was reassigned elsewhere in the CHD system.

With a change expected to be announced in the coming weeks, some of those who regularly attend the Not Bread Alone program at the First Congregational Church are asking CHD to ensure that the new coordinator creates a welcoming atmosphere for all clients and continues the tradition of serving nutritious food.

Reikka Simula, of South East Street, a regular at Not Bread Alone for a decade, said she is submitting a petition to CHD outlining 10 objectives to which it should adhere to make the meal site better. Her rationale for the petition is that it is a response to changes that have taken place since the departure of long-time coordinator Hwei-Ling Greeney in April.

"My main concern is to see that this is a friendly place for people," Simula said. "It should be a place to have a meal if they need it, and to have their dignity when they leave."

Royal said the priority at Not Bread Alone remains to provide the best meals possible to those who visit.

"Everyone recognizes the need for the services that are provided," Royal said.

The goals of providing food and being a welcoming place for social services are important during times of great economic stress, Royal said.

With this in mind, Royal said the person who will be hired will likely have expertise in several human service capacities.

The petition asks for safe food delivery, distributed in a fair way and that a cheerful, positive atmosphere be created. It specifically asks that staff not yell at or mistreat clients, or use abusive language. Simula said this stems from a July 26 confrontation with Rivera, who replaced Greeney. As a result, Simula was issued a verbal no trespass order for the site.

Simula alleges she was prohibited from going to Not Bread Alone after asking questions about a rice dish she had eaten, and suffered an allergic reaction to, because it contained seafood.

In September, Simula sent a complaint to Human Rights Director Eunice Torres and Town Manager Larry Shaffer about her plight.

"I have been prevented from eating at the soup kitchen, taking produce and baked goods. This is a hardship for me," she wrote.

Royal said she couldn't speak to Simula's specific issue, but noted that no one is currently trespassed from the program. Though mediation is a preferred route, Royal said there are situations that dictate more forceful action.

Simula also is expressing concern about the way food is handled at the kitchen, requesting more oversight so that people don't get sick.

Royal said all volunteers are trained in following rules of hygiene and that precautions are in place to ensure the food is safe.

George Villa, who has volunteered at the meal site for several years, said he would like to see the new coordinator have a calm demeanor. "The next hire should have the capacity for compassion to people," Villa said.

He understands that challenges exist because many of the people who go there have mental health issues, and praised Greeney as one others should model themselves after. "She used tact. She didn't come across as a running bull," Villa said. "There was a certain comfort zone for a lot of the people who are lonely and in need."

If the petition doesn't elicit a proper response from CHD, Simula and Villa both said they are concerned that could mean an end to the program.

But Royal said there is no evidence the program has suffered in recent months. Volunteer levels remain high as recruits - including church members, residents, area college students and others - continue to help out.

"The volunteers are the backbone of delivering services to the individuals," Royal said.

Not Bread Alone receives eight to 10 calls each week from people looking to volunteer.

This has become even more critical, Royal said, as the numbers of people seeking service has been on the rise.