Ariel & Rowena Dee-Lopez and Jim Rutkowski
Ariel and Rowena Dee-Lopez and Jim Rutkowski are Ignatian Volunteers at St. Elisabeth of Hungary Church in Van Nuys. They serve at the parish Service Center, a nonprofit Catholic organization offering “charitable services to needy members of the community without discrimination as to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, or sex of any person.”
The Service Center is operated entirely by volunteers like Ariel, Rowena, and Jim. Their tireless efforts provide assistance and loving care to individuals and families needing food, clothing, and other necessities.
The Center is located in a three-bedroom house that has been converted to store and distribute food, clothing, and toys. On Tuesdays, volunteers begin work as early as 6:00 AM to prepare
food for pick-up. Families start arriving by 7:30 and wait in line until the doors open at 9:00 AM after one of the parish priests leads everyone in prayer.
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​Volunteers prepare and package hot meals for unhoused people on Monday and Wednesday. They begin at 9:00 a.m., cutting meat and vegetables from the pantry in the Service Center. By the time they are done, 180 meals are ready for distribution to homeless encampments, and a clean-up crew of volunteers arrives to ensure everything is ready for the next round of food preparation and distribution.
Arial, Rowena, and Jim share their amazement at how the work flows and how they are grateful to be part of the Service Center.
