St. Isidore parishioner selected Citizen of the Year

To look into the eyes of people filled with hope and joy who say, “With your help I know I can make it,” is the reward volunteers experience in the church parish conferences of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

Their fulfillment expands even more when a community, such as the city of Baker, affirms their work by acknowledging, “We know with your help we can make it.”

The Baker Interclub, which is comprised of an array of civic- and faith-based organizations, recently recognized Norma Cosey, and by extension, the St. Vincent de Paul conference of St. Isidore Church in Baker, by naming Cosey Baker Citizen of the Year.

Cosey, the coordinator for the St. Isidore food pantry, was recognized for volunteering her time, talent and efforts to improve the quality of life in Baker. 

But Cosey prefers to shine the spotlight on the ministry of all who come together through the St. Isidore SVDP conference to serve their neighbors.

A native of Carencro, Cosey had retired from Dow Chemical then “kept busy” by working for the Zachary School System.

Cosey’s two sisters had experience working with food banks, so her interest was piqued when she saw an announcement seeking volunteers for the St. Isidore food pantry in 2015.

“If you remember those first experiences it keeps you coming back again,” noted Cosey, who started with assembling food boxes and learning about the food pantry operations. She loves the “sweet reward” of serving people.

“They may not have much but one thing they do have is a lot of love and they’ll tell you they love you and what a wonderful service we’re providing to them. The food pantry is love in action,” said Cosey.

The volunteers also actively help with the Angel Tree and Easter food basket program at St. Isidore. 

Cosey said her “wonderful group of volunteers” include people of various walks of life and talents, including retired police officers, nurses, welders, deacons, truck drivers, etc. 

For those who are not able to come to the food pantry during food distribution, they arrange to visit them in their homes.

“We get to know them pretty well; they ask us for ‘how to’ tips. We share tips on gardening, look at fish pictures among other things,” said Cosey.

She added, “I’ve had people tell me that the volunteers here are some of the nicest people they have ever dealt with. One lady was visiting for the first time and she said, ‘Y’all make me feel like a person and not a number.’ ”

Cosey said there are “a few comedians” among the volunteers who help the people feel at ease, especially those who never thought they would find themselves in positions of needing assistance.

“They might feel hesitant or ashamed, and we make them feel like ‘it’s okay, we’re here to help you,’ ” said Cosey.

Celeste Deville, a retired nurse who checks applications when people come to the food pantry, said in addition to meeting many people, she has noted the generosity of the volunteers.

“The guys will sometimes help out of their own pockets,” said Deville.

Ronald Canady, a member of Council 485 “Mother of Perpetual Help” Knights of Columbus of St. Isidore, helps unload trucks of food from the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and assemble boxes. He said, “there is no question people need the help.”

Having served in Army military operations in Vietnam, Canady has seen his comrades get injured and killed, and he joined the food pantry to bring life to the community.

He now stands alongside people in the battles they face as they struggle financially and to retain their own dignity.

And he likes to celebrate the victories when people get back on their feet.

“Every once in a while we will get a call, ‘You can take me off the list. I’m about to get a job’ and (they) express their intent in moving on,” said Canady.

St. Vincent de Paul Society CEO Michael Acaldo said he is grateful for the support of Cosey, the volunteers and parishioners and “outstanding clergy” at St. Isidore for performing the corporal works of mercy Jesus calls for in Matthew 25:35-40.

“They see the face of Christ in their neighbor,” said Acaldo.

And even more important than the opportunity to distribute material goods for the volunteers is providing people with hope and connecting them with faith.

“We’ve had some people come to Mass just to see what it is about,” said Cosey.