Soroptimists honor community meals provider
When Soroptimist International of Butler County honored Justine Brown for her efforts to provide free meals to Butler, her focus remained on helping others.
“It’s very humbling, and quite an honor. I never expected any honors for anything I do. That’s not why I volunteer, that’s not why I do these things I do,” Brown said.
Brown received the Community Ruby Award at the “Accomplished Women of Pennsylvania” fundraising luncheon at Butler Country Club on Saturday.
Brown was given the award due to her work at Katie’s Kitchen, based out of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church as part of the Community Meal Ministries, and her work at All Saints Parish.
“It really is a blessing to the county and to all of us, to be able to empower as many women as we can in this day and age,” Brown said after accepting the award.
Soroptimist International’s mission is to provide women and girls with access to education and training they need to achieve empowerment.
The event is a major fundraiser held annually by Soroptimist International’s Butler County chapter. Money raised largely goes to “Live Your Dream” scholarships given out to a couple of applicants each year. Marianne Hill, president of the Butler chapter, said scholarships go to women who have gone through struggles in life such as abuse or addiction, and who are continuing their education.
“Soroptimist means best of women, so it’s us being at our best, to help other women be at their best,” Hill said.
Hill said the group’s efforts to support women have included making blankets for cancer patients, and supplying bathroom, bed or kitchen items for people transitioning into new housing.
The winners of the community and club Ruby Awards have $250 donated in their name to a nonprofit of their choice.
“She is a woman who had done marvelous things in Butler County,” Becky Plymale, who won the club award, said of Brown. “She is just as accomplished and certainly just as busy as anyone. If you know Justine, you know she’s a whirlwind.”
Brown said she was a family consumer science major in college and the sole purpose of getting a degree was to raise the quality of life of others. She said any work she does, she hopes to impact the quality of life for someone else.
In her role providing community meals to Butler residents, Brown faces challenges such as how to combat food insecurity. In the last year or so, she thinks food insecurity has become worse, and anticipates it may get even worse as food prices go up and as the government cuts back on federal subsidies.
To even get food for those the church feeds can be difficult. Brown said it’s not a lot of trouble getting food right now, “but it’s at a cost.” She can get a lot of free items from places that donate, but it still costs money.
“There are a lot of people who are in need. And a lot of them are mentally ill, or underemployed. We have several people who work, and they come after work, and they don’t make enough money for rent and other costs they have. They’re not taking money from your coffers, they’re just trying to survive,” Brown said.
Brown said on a nightly basis, the Community Meal Ministries feed between 150-300 people at every church involved.
Lauding Brown’s work ethic and community involvement, Plymale said anyone can find Brown regularly working at All Saints Parish, doing a number of things such as working the fish fry, organizing funeral dinners, taking care of other special events at the church, singing in choir, gardening at home or Butler Catholic and decorating common areas during the holidays.
During her acceptance speech, Brown emphasized the award should not be about her, but about the people she volunteers and works with. She said it is a privilege to work with those who volunteer and make it fun.
“I thought this was an opportunity for me to think about why we do what we do, why we give, and why it’s important for us to use what we do. I came across a thing from Maya Angelou, who believed that true accomplishment comes from pursuing what you love, and using your talents to make a difference, and I think that’s what we’re all trying to do,” Brown said.
