Back row: Pastor Hamann, Dana Hommel, Dena Lawrence, Pamela Graff, John Pfail, and Doreen Maurer. Front row: Marge Loucks, Nancy Allen, Catherine Martino, and Lynn Taylor. Not pictured is Barbara Swanson. Photo by Max Oppen.
By Max Oppen
TANNERSVILLE – Whoever coined the phrase "There's no such thing as a free lunch" has never attended the Soup and Fellowship program at the Kaaterskill United Methodist Church. Held bi-weekly, this community gathering offers soup, a main course, dessert, and, most importantly, a space for connection and conversation.
I strolled up the block in the Village to the Church on a recent Tuesday afternoon. Walking through the doors, I felt immediately at home, even though most faces were unfamiliar. Many of the attendees, a bit older than me, recognized me as a reporter for The Mountain Eagle and shared their appreciation for my work covering the area—a pleasant surprise.
The Soup and Fellowship program began last January, thanks to the vision of Cathy Martino, a 20-year resident of the area. "We started it just after the holidays last January," Martino explained. She had pitched the idea to Pastor Peggy, the Church's former leader, before her retirement.
Martino, known for her homemade soups, shared that friends and family had long urged her to open a business. "I told them I didn't want to open up my own business, but I did want to continue making soups," she said. Her idea blossomed into the program, which prioritizes community over commerce.
Pastor Mark Hamann, who succeeded Pastor Peggy, has embraced the initiative wholeheartedly. A 30-year-old from East Northport, Long Island, Pastor Hamann has been serving multiple churches on the mountaintop for about a year. "It's just a meal and a place for people to gather," he said.
The program's central location in Tannersville makes it accessible. "We considered East Jewett, but we didn't think we'd get too many people due to the location," Martino noted. The Methodist Church was an ideal choice.
The Church is part of the Mountaintop Parish, which has locations in Jewett, Lexington/Westkill, Ashland, Windham, Lanesville, and Haines Falls. The latter is only open for one sermon per year.
Martino emphasized that while donations are welcomed, no one is turned away for inability to pay. "The ones who support it cover the ones who can't," she said. Volunteers like Dana Hommel, a Vietnam veteran and lifelong mountaintop resident, have found personal fulfillment through their involvement. "Helping others gets your mind off yourself," Hommel said. "The more I do for people, the better I feel."
Hommel, who served in combat in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, now calls Elka Park home. His life experiences have shaped his appreciation for the program's mission. "It's great seeing people from different walks of life talk, laugh, and leave as friends," he said.
While the food is a draw, Martino stressed that the real focus is building connections. "A lot of people think it's like a soup kitchen, which it's not," she clarified. "It's about getting to know your neighbors and talking with people you might not ordinarily speak to." The program attracts people of all denominations and ages, and three HTC students help set up on Tuesdays with two of their teachers.
Attendees are treated to a restaurant-like experience, complete with table service provided by volunteers—including Pastor Hamann himself. "Since I've been here, the turnout has been very good," Pastor Hamann said. "Typically, we have 45 to 50 people dining in and 15 to 20 picking up takeout."
An army of volunteers ensures the program runs smoothly. Martino and her friend, Doreen Mauer, prepare salads and desserts on Mondays, letting flavors settle overnight. Tuesdays start early, with volunteers chopping vegetables, preparing sandwiches, and setting up tables.
The benefits extend beyond the event itself. Leftovers are sent to the Village Hall's food pantry, which operates on Wednesdays. Occasionally, volunteers deliver meals to those unable to attend in person. "It makes me feel good that we're helping people," Martino said.
The program has also attracted support from local organizations, such as Bread Alone, Brave the Flames, and the Mountaintop Fellowship of Churches, contributing to its success. Donations, monetary, time, or otherwise, are always appreciated.
Pastor Hamann and Martino encourage everyone to join. "We'd love to see new faces—and, of course, the familiar ones, too," Hamann said. The next Soup and Fellowship events are scheduled for January 14 and January 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kaaterskill United Methodist Church at 5942 Main Street in the Village.
You can mail a check to P.O. Box 225, Tannersville, NY 12485, for those wishing to donate money. Please mention on the check that the donation is for the Soup and Fellowship program. For more information or to volunteer, contact Pastor Hamann at (631) 697-5417.
So, bring your appetite and find harmony with neighbors old and new. As Martino put it, "If someone is not having a good day, this may brighten their day—and maybe even help them with something."
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