Daily Bread

On January 26, 2010 beloved husband of the late Lorraine Vain, beloved father of Richard Vain and Russell Misterka, loving grandfather of Richard Vain Jr, Amanda Vain, Melissa Leicht, Heather Ridgely, and loving great-grandfather of Noah Leicht, Brandon, Jessica and Tiffany Ridgely. Memorial Service at St. Rita's Church, 2903 Dunleer Road, 21222 on Saturday February 6, 2010 at 11 A.M. Those desiring please make contributions to Our Daily Bread, 725 Fallsway, Baltimore, Md. 21202 or Animal Rescue Inc, PO Box 35, Maryland Line,

It's been a tough year for Mary Mack. During the warmer months she traveled with carnivals, but lean times meant fewer dollars spent on "Pick-a-Duck" and "Shoot-A-Cup," the games she operates. When Mack and her husband returned to Baltimore in the fall, they had $200 and no place to go. For several weeks, they slept on the ground outside her aunt's shed. "We just live day by day, whatever we can do," said Mack, adding that Christmas was "terrible" this year. "We had nothing." On Sunday, Mack and family members joined hundreds of others to receive free clothing, housewares and toys given away by a nonprofit group under a Jones Falls Expressway bridge.

Sitting at a table of strangers in a steamy gymnasium, Michael Brisco poked at turkey on his Styrofoam plate and reflected on the reversals that had buffeted his life these past few months. First, the 43-year-old truck driver was laid off from his job at the state Department of Agriculture. Then, difficulties with unemployment benefits left him without any income at all. Finally, unable to pay rent on his apartment in the Washington Hill neighborhood of East Baltimore, he found himself out on the street.

On November 21, 2009, Ruth Nichols Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 from 10-11 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Charlestown Retirement Community, 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, MD 21228. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM with Father Leo Larrivee Celebrating. Interment to follow at Lakeview Memorial Park, Sykesville, MD. Memorial donations in Ruth's memory, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Our Daily Bread, 725 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202

On August 5, 2009, VIRGINIA (GEE-GEE) CANATELLA; devoted wife of the late Michael S. Canatella; loving mother of Patricia Bent; grandmother of Kelly, Susan, and Katherine; great-grandchildren Eden, Hannah, Courtney, Melody, and Layla. Aunt Gee-Gee to Donna, Don, Barbie, Beth, Bruce, Joan, Johnny, and Peggy; godmother to Spud, Johnny, and Bobbie. Memorial Mass Friday, August 21st at 11 AM in St. Louis Catholic Church, Clarksville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations to Our Daily Bread.

The vegetable gardens planted around the city's War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall have produced more than 1,500 pounds of vegetables for the kitchens of Our Daily Bread, which feeds the homeless. But perhaps just as important is this news: "The garden has been respected," said Melissa Grim, acting chief horticulturist for the city's Departments of Recration and Parks. Except for the odd head of cabbage or sage plant going missing, there has been no theft or vandalism in the multiple beds that surround the plaza.

Our Daily Bread Employment Center, known for its efforts in helping Baltimore's poor change their lives, went through a change itself last weekend. The main eating hall had been cleared of its usual long tables; instead it had high bar tables decorated with gigantic fake flowers and colored lights dancing off the walls. A Carmen Miranda look-alike welcomed guests to "Buenas Noches Buenos Aires," an Argentinian-themed fundraiser. "Kevin chose [the theme] because he thought we'd all be tired of the winter time," said Carolyn O'Keefe, referring to her husband, with whom she was chairing the event.

On January 22, 2009, MARY R. EDWARDS; beloved wife of the late Thomas S. Edwards; devoted mother of John C. Edwards; dear sister of Sr. Ignatius Loyola Reichert, O.C.D. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the family-owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home Inc., 1050 York Road (Beltway Exit 26A), Monday 3 to 5 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 10 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. The family suggests contributions in her name to Our Daily Bread or The Salvation Army.

Running out of money to buy food, David P. Anderson was among the first to file into the dining room yesterday at Our Daily Bread. Behind him, dozens waited in line on Christmas morning as Anderson sat down to a turkey dinner and reached first for the cranberry relish. But it wasn't until he was walking out of the downtown Baltimore soup kitchen that Anderson learned who had prepared the meal and served it to him. For the 15th year, members of the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation stepped in so the usual volunteers, several of them Christians, could celebrate Christmas Day at home with their families.

On August 13, 2008 Richard A. Zanetti. The family will receive friends in the chapel of St. John's Catholic Church, 13305 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD on Saturday August 23 from 10 to 11A.M. at which time a funeral mass will be celebrated. Interment in the adjoining cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be directed in Mr. Zanetti's name to Our Daily Bread, 725 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202. Inquires to Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc.