Title
Recognizing and honoring Barbara Salapek on her retirement after 25 years as a full-time volunteer at the St. Francis Inn, a soup kitchen and shelter located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Barbara Salapek was born in 1950 in the town of Warren, PA. After high school and college, Barbara joined the Blair Company, a women's mail order clothing company where she worked as a customer service representative for almost 20 years, making her home in Jamestown, NY; and
WHEREAS, While working at Blair, Barbara became interested in Franciscan spirituality. In 1991, feeling called to re-orient her life, Barbara pursued a suggestion to come to Philadelphia to join the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, a lay volunteer program, as a full-time volunteer as St. Francis Inn; and
WHEREAS, Working with the most needy and marginalized of Philadelphia was compelling to Barbara and in 1993 she joined the team of Franciscan friars, Franciscan sisters and lay people who run St. Francis Inn. Barbara has been a team member ever since and Philadelphia has become her new home; and
WHEREAS, St. Francis Inn, located at 2441 Kensington Avenue, has served the population of Kensington and its surrounding neighborhoods seven days a week since December 1979. The Inn provides 10 meals a week to 300-450 people a meal and regularly distributes diapers, toiletries and other necessities during the meals; and
WHEREAS, The Franciscans also run a thrift store on Girard Avenue and women's day center on Kensington Avenue near Somerset Street, as well as offering various social services. The Inn provides a mail address service to well over 300 people so that they can receive needed benefits. In winter, the Franciscans distribute blankets, hats, gloves and other necessities as well. St. Francis Inn operates entirely on private donations; and
WHEREAS, Barbara has been an integral part of the St. Francis Inn for the past 25 years. A tireless worker in every ...
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