Bona's Warming House nourishes body and soul
For Paul
Nana Afful, a lifetime of generous acts has paved the way to a passion for
helping others.
“My whole
life has been filled with people I’ve never even met helping me out. Now I want
to do the same,” Afful said.
Born and
raised in the large port city of Takoradi in the western region of Ghana,Afful
arrived in the United States through the help of others. A soccer scholarship
brought him to St. Bonaventure University, where a host family welcomed him
into their home. He earned an undergraduate degree in sports studies and is
currently enrolled in the MBA program.
Six days a
week Afful can be found at the Warming House, the university’s student-run soup
kitchen in Olean, where he serves as manager. He plans and prepares meals, plus
buys groceries and supplies.
Afful said
he creates dinner for about 30 people each day, making enough so that there are
leftovers for the guests to take home. He also makes certain to visit with all
who gather together to eat.
“We
welcome our guests each and every time and ask how they are doing,” Afful said.
“We want everyone to feel at home.”
While
demanding, the work is also fulfilling.
“My life is an example of what can happen when you show kindness to others,” he
said. “I really love helping here. It feels good to cook for others and help by
putting food on the table.”
Bona
professor of theology Dr. Christopher Stanley and his wife, Laurel, have
volunteered frequently on Sundays at the Warming House for the past 20 years.
For
Stanley, who enjoys cooking and regularly prepares dinner at home, his time at
the Warming House is more than community service.
“We've always found it deeply rewarding,” Stanley
said. “It's amazing how the mundane task of preparing a meal becomes a sacred
act when one does it for those whom Jesus called ‘the least of these.’ We count it a privilege to be able
to serve there.”
Founded in 1974, the Warming House provides an early evening meal
six days a week, serving between 5,500 to 6,000 meals annually. It is managed by a small staff of paid student interns and a
volunteer pool of students, faculty, staff and community members.
Many of the guests experience challenges beyond just hunger, which
is why the site offers health screenings, various forms of counseling, and
organic foods to take out.
“The community and
fellowship shared at the Warming House is vital,” said Alice Miller Nation, director of St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan
Center for Social Concern (FCSC). “It
is an important refuge for our guests, many of whom have nowhere else to turn for
a hot meal. And a number of our student volunteers discover a real passion for
social work and service.”
For Afful, being part
of the Warming House has taught him more than just how to cook for a large
number of people — he’s learned the power of compassion and the rewards that
come through patience.
“The best
feeling you can ever get is when you show kindness to others,” he said.