Food pantry honors 91-year-old volunteer

KIRKPATRICK – The fact Joe Calenda continues to serve faithfully from the small food pantry in this northern Marion County village should come as no surprise.

Calenda, 91, has served others in one capacity or another his entire life, including careers in the U.S. Army and with the U.S. Postal Service.

The food pantry honored Calenda and other volunteers Saturday with a luncheon and awards presentation at Liberty Kirkpatrick United Methodist Church.

"I didn't know this was all for me. It was a surprise," said Calenda, who with his wife, Luisa, started helping with the outreach effort 22 years ago.

The Calendas settled in the Kirkpatrick area after the Brooklyn native retired from the post office at age 62. He had a military career that ended near the conclusion of the Vietnam War, when he retired as a sergeant first class.

"I keep active with the food pantry, and I used to walk a lot," said Calenda whose appearance and wit belie his age. "At one time, I walked around the reservoir in Bucyrus about every day. That kept me in darn good shape."

Joe and Luisa began helping with the food bank in Columbus.

"We went back and forth every week for five years," he said.

Calenda's daughter, Jackie Bailey, who drove from Dallas to attend the luncheon, has seen her father's giving spirit since she was a child.

"He has always been that way," she said. "If people needed money or food — our neighbors — he helped them."

Jim Christian has worked alongside Calenda in the food pantry for more than two decades.

"He is a very special man," Christian said. "Joe helps stock the food pantry, and he cleans it every week."

"About 22 years ago, the Kirkpatrick area was blessed when Joe and Luisa came here," he said. "God sent them here. Louisa always spread love with hugs and a kiss. We need people like them."

Luisa died July 25, 2012. A month later, their daughter, Elaine, also died.

"That was tough," Calenda said. "Luisa should have been a nun, but she married me when I was in the service."

The food pantry serves about 450 families in the area and recently branched out to include Morrow County.

"We get walk-ins, and I've gone to homes to take food," Christian said. "I've seen little kids who have nothing."

Mary Rowe, affectionately known as the food pantry boss, is inspired by Calenda's commitment.

"He helps sort the meat on Tuesdays and Fridays, and he keeps everything clean," she said. "He's wonderful."

Frank Zugaro, minister at the church, called the food pantry "a wonderful thing. We are combining with three smaller food pantries to allow us to do a whole lot more by growing the pantry. We've been doing God's work (with that ministry) about 30 years."

Jana Hanley, of the Mount Gilead Kroger store, also praised the program and its expansion.

"We are thankful to be in a community so willing to give," she said.

Despite maintaining the remnants of a New York accent, Calenda has become a full-fledged Midwesterner.

"I have gone back home and visited with family and friends, but I love the country," he said. "It's beautiful here. I really enjoy it and I'm still going."

Calenda lives near the church and the food pantry, making him a fixture there.

"He's a great all-around guy," Christian said. "Whenever we need him, he's there."

aconchel@gannett.com

740-375-5107

Twitter: @anthonyconchel