Hertel, Richard & Mary, Soup Kitchen Fund (Designated)

November
 
17
2014
St. Mary’s Catholic Church / Soup Kitchen
(Lafayette Street, Fort Wayne)
 
Fund Est. April 2008
 
Grants from this designated endowment fund provide food, clothing, shelter, or medical care to persons living in Adams and Allen Counties of Indiana through charitable organizations operating in Adams and Allen counties.

The primary beneficiary of this fund is St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Lafayette Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  St. Mary’s Church operates a volunteer-run soup kitchen which has become a significant resource helping local people. 

Mary’s family and childhood roots are in Adams County, Indiana.  Living in Jefferson Township for many years, later she served as a social worker for 31 years with the Division of Family and Children Services for Allen County.  She is very compassionate and mindful that many of our citizens need help for food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.  She has been a member of Ft. Wayne’s St. Mary’s parish for more than 30 years and knows the beneficial impact that parish has on its community. 

Mary is a graduate of Ball State University with a BS and MA in Education. She retains a strong connection to Adams County through her farm in Jefferson Township.  Her farm, located in the Irish Settlement area east of Geneva has been in the family since 1874.

Richard found his way to Indiana through his job at ITT in Fort Wayne.  He studied mathematics and physics at Lewis and Clark College in Portland Oregon (BA) and earned an MS in Applied Physics from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.  During his 33-year career, Richard applied his science skills to commercial and aerospace projects. 
 
Retired and living in Fort Wayne, Mary and Richard started this fund as part of their estate planning process.