Emmaus Soup Kitchen resumes meals in Erie after fire

Sept. 28--ERIE, Pa. -- Despite a devastating fire, Emmaus Soup Kitchen is back in the business of feeding the hungry and plans to be back in its own building next Monday.

The Erie City Mission and Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity opened their facilities so Emmaus could serve meals after the Friday blaze, which authorities said was intentionally set. Sister Mary Miller, director of Emmaus Ministries, said the effort is already underway to clean and repair the building at 218 E. 11th St. so the soup kitchen can return there.

"We are planning on opening the first Monday in October," Miller said.

In the meantime, the Emmaus staff was working to serve a meal today from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Erie City Mission, 1017 French St., and will move Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. to the Church of the Nativity's community center at 109 German St.

Miller said the fire destroyed the soup kitchen's bathrooms and damaged part of the dining area but not the cooking area. She also said the soup kitchen lost little food in the fire.

"The greatest devastation was to where the sisters live upstairs," she said.

Three members of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie lived there. One wasn't home when the fire was reported by another shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Sister Claire Surmik was upstairs when her sister, Sister Lucia Surmik, saw smoke.

"She saved my life," Claire Surmik, 80, said.

She said all three Benedictines were "doing fine" and staying in living quarters at St. Benedict Child Development Center.

"We're just grateful to be alive," Claire Surmik said.

Neither she nor Miller bore any ill will toward the man accused by police of setting the fire.

"We want everyone to know that the man who is alleged to have done this is a member of our family, he is a soup kitchen guest," Miller said.

People shouldn't rush to judge him, she said.

Thomas W. Munch, 52, was being held Monday in Erie County Prison on charges of arson, causing a catastrophe and reckless endangerment. Bail was set at $75,000.

"Our hope is he will get rehabilitated in jail," Claire Surmik said. "We wish him to get healed and get well."

Munch was one of hundreds served by Emmaus Soup Kitchen, which Miller said provides about 250 dinners daily Monday through Friday.

She said she was "flabbergasted" by the community's response to the fire, which has included offers of food and help cleaning.

"There is a lot of heart in this city," Miller said.

She said the ministry did have insurance and the Emmaus staff was still assessing needs and how people can help.

Miller encouraged the public to look for updates at www.emmauserie.org. She said there's a "donate" button for those who want to make a financial contribution.

DANA MASSING can be reached at 870-1729 or by e-mail. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNmassing.

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