By Gretchen Keiser

A food program that has been underway in the archdiocese for about five months has brought in contributions and pledges of more than $20,000 to feed the hungry this year.

The support for the "Five For Food" program has buoyed Marguerite and John Oberg, Cathedral parishioners who dreamed up the idea, and has also elated the staff at St. Vincent de Paul's central office in Atlanta's West End, where the food purchased under the program is distributed.

Because of "Five For Food," the staff is able to provide "a variety of nourishing foods to about 100 families a month out of this office -- which is phenomenal," said Betti Knott, executive secretary of the Society.

"Five For Food" began in February, with the hope that 500 families in the archdiocese would pledge five dollars a month -- or $60 a year -- to buy food for the hungry. The money -- $2,500 a month -- would be used to make a monthly bulk purchase of food for families coming to St. Vincent de Paul for help. Mrs. Oberg, who is experienced in food purchasing through volunteer work for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home, believed that the "Five For Food" program would help St. Vincent de Paul Society offices to have a more consistent and nourishing supply of food on hand to help families year round. Previously, food donations from people and parishes tended to peak at holiday time and drop off at other times of the year.

Now "we know what we've got and we know what we've got to give," Mrs. Knott said. "It's helping us to provide more food and better food."

The program coincided also with an increasing demand upon St. Vincent de Paul volunteers and other people trying to help the hungry. Difficult economic times have raised the numbers of people and families seeking all types of help, including food for the supper table.

Mr. and Mrs. Oberg do the monthly shopping wholesale at Associated Grocers in College Park, and as the program has gained momentum, are now buying between $1,600 and $1,700 worth of groceries a month. The support they have received comes from some 290 people and families in the archdiocese. While they are still short of the initial goal of 500 supporters and $2,500 a month, they are deeply affected by the people who have responded and by their faithfulness to pledge commitments.

The contributions have come in many different ways, including anonymously, Mrs. Oberg said. One contributor sends an amount in cash at frequent intervals with just the notation: "Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ -- for the poor."

All contributions go toward food purchases and Mrs. Oberg is eager to keep those supporting the program informed of its progress, since formal acknowledgements of donations are not sent out to keep even that cost from draining funds away from food purchases.

At the moment, the food is all distributed through the central office of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. However, the Society and the Obergs are also interested in assisting any parish conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society that needs a supply for its food pantry. Parish conferences needing assistance may contact the Obergs at 404-233-3525 or the central office of the Society.

Those wishing to donate to the program may make checks payable to St. Vincent de Paul, Five For Food. They may be mailed to Five For Food, St. Vincent de Paul Society, PO Box 10494, Atlanta, GA 30310.