Do we need people to help serve this Friday?
Gerry
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7 comments:
Dear Gerry,
No, we have enough servers, and a "Why Catholic" group is bringing about a dozen casseroles.
Thanks for all you do.
Ed
Been nice to know about that a week or so ago--I could have let up on some of my regulars. Had a bunch go a few extra steps over Christmas.
Ill check on Weds to see how is it looking plus move anything from freezer to fridge.
Having 14 plus 12 casseroles is not too much.
Last week the count was 266
26 casseroles is an ample amount for 260 and we could give a generous portion for 12 from a casserole if need be - that's 312.
The food left over, when there is some, never goes to waste. We either take it to the Oasis or give those with a kitchen food to take home.
Then again, we don't want our regular volunteers getting burnt out making too many casseroles each month.
Ed - Perhaps we need to recruit more volunteers at the next hospitality?
Susan
Gerry wrote:
I have people interested in serving or do you have that covered already?
Dear Gerry,
We like to encourage people to come and serve. The more people who participate in this ministry the more glory is given to God. The problem is that we do not always have enough jobs for everyone. When children come we like to give them priority in jobs because children often are not self-starters and simply stand around feeling useless.
I never know ahead of time how many helpers we will have. Serving Christ in the homeless can be a life-giving, faith-building experience. So we must be very careful that we do nothing to discourage people from coming or give anyone the impression that their help is not appreciated. Naturally, the more guests we have the more helpers we will need.
Since you provided that magnificent feast at Christmas, the number of our guests has been increasing steadily. Last Friday we had 266 guests! I do not know if it will level off or keep on increasing. We are discussing ways of serving more efficiently. And, of course, we are limited by the size of the hall even as big as it is.
In some cases it would be good to have several very efficient adults behind the children to encourage and quietly supervise. No supervision may be necessary but there are times when a child may need adult backup. For example, if a guest requests a larger portion, the answer will almost always be “yes.” The adult may be aware, however, that we are running low on a certain dish and suggest something else instead of a larger portion. A child may feel unable to deny a request by an adult guest.
I would hope that in such a case the adult would realize the importance of simply being there. Adults who keep their eyes open to needs are very appreciated, even if on a particular evening nothing comes up. Cleaning trays, pushing down trash in barrels, wiping up spills and many other chores are usually there for the doing. One very big need is cleanup. Every Friday evening at 6:30 another group uses the hall. So we have to be all cleaned up and out by then. Adults to do the cleanup or supervise are always needed.
Still there may be so many helpers that it is really hard to find a job for everyone. It is then that opportunities arise for the most important job of all. Approaching a guest, asking if everything is ok is a good way to see if the guest would like to chat. Body language will usually give you the answer. Even if the guest does not wish to talk, the friendly, concerned approach by a volunteer goes a long way toward treating our guests with the respect they deserve as sons and daughters of God. We do not only serve food, it must always come with a large dollop of dignity.
If a guest seems open to conversation, the weather or sports are usually good openers just as in a conversation with any new acquaintance. Sometimes the guest will want to talk about his or her plight. When that happens we enter into the privileged sacred space where miracles happen. The guest may give you an insight that will change your life. Or your offer of friendship will change the guest’s life. In either case, Jesus is present in the mix.
I hope this answers your question, Gerry. Thanks for all you do.
Ed
Hi Gerry - All the food arrived - hot and ready for about 300 waiting souls.
Thanks for all the help from you and your team
I don't know who stacked the casseroles in the black containers - so I copied this to Paul and Dave - but please set the black containers on end. It is easier for the servers to open the containers from the top and pull up the stacked casseroles.
[Susan
> Are we going to get capped out in the numbers that we
>can feed since we will be capped off the number we can
>heat in the church's kitchen/ ovens? Or is there a
>regular alternative?
Good question - alternatively, some of our regular
contributors have been providing top of the stove chili,
soups, stews, etc. So that's what we'll have to go to
next I guess. We should be okay for awhile. Next week
the nos will be lower as it is the 2nd of the month and
they will still have money in their pockets.
Susan
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