The old adage "many hands make light work" is very true for the Soup Kitchen. Every week approximately twenty people will volunteer, some for an hour, others for six hours or more. There are many opportunities to serve on Tuesday and throughout the week. The kitchen crew arrives first at 8:30 or 9 to start food prep and some times the day before. Others will cover the tables and set out salt and pepper. Coffee pots are readied for the two hundred cups of coffee needed. One or two head down to Giant Eagle to pick up donated baked goods and meat. Breads and sweets will then be set on a table for people to take home as needed. Meat is put in the freezer to be used for future meals or given out on Bag Day.
A small group gathers in the Mackie room to wrap the individual table services. By 10:00 people are already arriving to find a seat and drink coffee with friends. Volunteer servers keep an eye open for folks as they sit down and get them their beverage and table service. The "coordinators" check the mail, pay bills, and orient new volunteer s. By 11:30 the volunteers are in full swing, with servers and food preppers busy at their tasks. The first round of pots and pans are washed. Servers chat with the patrons, finding out what is new in people's lives and welcoming the newcomers. At noon, the meal is served and each tab le is waited on. After dessert, clean up begins. Dish washing starts with a vengeance. By 2:00 things have wrapped up for the day. Volunteers take turns washing the towels and aprons. Later in the week there may be more trips to pick up food or unload the shipments from Second Harvest. Twice a month bags are packed for food give outs and the Food Cupboard is restocked. Help is always needed, especially at clean up and when shipments come in. Most of all, we need people to be present for those who come to share our Tuesday meal; to be part of the conversation, to listen and be welcoming and extend the gift of hospitality. What is your opportunity to serve? Come and see. Dates and stats: Next Bag Days: April 11 and 25 Next visit by Barb Ives to help with VA, SSA, Medicare and housing: April 4 and 18 Comments are closed.
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