At shrine, nourishment for body and soul - plus diapers

As food prices continue to rise, St. Anthony Shrine in Downtown Crossing is hoping to ease the burden when it opens the Franciscan Food Center and Baby Place Wednesday, providing needy Bostonians free food and baby supplies.

St. Anthony has partnered with the Greater Boston Food Bank, which is contributing food at a discounted price, while Baby Place items like diapers and formula are coming mostly from Shrine parishioners, according to St. Anthony's executive director, the Rev. David Convertino.

"With the economy as difficult as it is, if we can provide some food, we can help people balance between choices like gas or food," he said.

The center has more than 100 volunteers, according to Convertino, made up mostly of parishioners. He said the Center is initially taking on 200 clients and hopes to expand to 500 by January.

In a departure from some traditional food pantries, where clients receive a box of prepackaged food, the Shrine is implementing a "client's choice" approach, which allows people to choose foods from a menu.

To be eligible at the center, a person must be referred by one of seven partner organizations, and after an initial visit, where the client will be eligible for immediate food, he or she must then attend two classes on nutrition and shopping skills, said Convertino.

The center will also provide educational opportunities. In the area where clients wait for their items to be packaged, St. Anthony has set up satellites of some of their programs, such as the Wellness Center, which provides free medical care. Volunteers will notify clients of upcoming classes such as checkbook balancing.

"We look at people holistically to help them, not just spiritually," Convertino said.

KIMBERLY SANFELIZ