Daybreak Shelter thanks Joliet community, blesses new walk-in freezer

JOLIET – Joliet Bishop Daniel Conlon sprinkled holy water on the door of the Daybreak Shelter’s new walk-in freezer Thursday – in hopes the blessing results in the unit lasting many years to come.

“Lord, may this water which we bless today remind us that you give us life in many ways,” Conlon said, his hands hovering over a silver bowl of water. “May the water that sprinkle this freezer with today remind us that you continue to help us serve each other … May the food that is stored in this freezer be prepared to nourish those who come here to Daybreak.”

It was just a few months ago that the previous freezer unit was “truly on its last legs,” Courtney Suchor, director of the Catholic Charities shelter, said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the installation of a new freezer.

It was through the community rallying together that Catholic Charities was able to raise $35,000 for a new freezer unit, said Kathleen Langdon, development and communications director. The costs had been estimated at $22,500, so the additional money raised will be put towards other needs at the center, Langdon said.

The previous freezer is believed to have been in the building at 611 E. Cass St. for at least 75 years. Daybreak began operations there in 1993.

Daybreak serves 86,170 meals annually.

The shelter – which also runs a soup kitchen called Shepherd’s Table – receives donations from restaurants and grocery stores that have to be frozen.

The walk-in freezer is a vital part of the Shepherd’s Table operation.

Hollywood Casino offered freezer space while the replacement was underway, Langdon said.

Gail Flatness, kitchen coordinator, said she can’t thank the community enough for the donations.

“All I could think was ,‘How am I going to serve three meals a day, seven days a week?’ ” Flatness said. “But the people came through.”