A cook at a charitable organization that serves the poor in central and northern Arizona is among several staff commended for helping to keep services open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Terry Thompson, a cook for the Phoenix Diocesan Council for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, is among kitchen crew providing to-go meal service to people, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul said.

“We are here on the front line to provide food for the needy come rain, snow, sleet or hail,” Thompson said in the blog. “Our whole operation is only as strong as its weakest link. If one of us doesn’t show, then the chain breaks.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul answered the COVID-19 crisis by continuing “to feed, clothe, house and heal--particularly those who are most vulnerable,” according to its website. The organization adapted by practicing social distancing.

“We are pivoting our services, like providing packaged meals to-go in our dining rooms, limiting the number of guests at one time in our Resource Center, and providing telemedicine in our clinic as appropriate,” the website said.

Executive Director Steve Zabilski said in the blog commending on-site staff that they have made special and personal sacrifices to work daily for the needy.

Among staff recognized with Thompson in the blog were Taylor Lutich, Family Dining Room manager who “helps organize the to-go meal service” and “hands out meals from the drive-thru window;” Yvette Sena, Resource Center support specialist; Eddie Leynes, information technology director; Sylvia Muñoz, food reclamation distribution supervisor; and Rosa Lugo, maintenance staff, who sanitizes areas and helps the kitchen staff.

“It’s my job to get rid of the virus and disinfect as much as possible so that people can keep coming to work and not get sick,” Lugo said in the blog. “People need us for help, and if we don’t take care to not get sick then we won’t be able to help them.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international nonprofit organization that serves the poor, according to a history about the organization. The Phoenix Diocesan Council for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began in 1946. It has over 6,000 volunteers, over 3,000 active and associate members as well as 81 Conferences of Charity, according to the history.