Friday 13 January 2017

March 4, 2009

Dear Volunteers:

Here's a taste of my weekly thoughts:  The Epicurean Edition.

If you are fortunate enough to work during the dinner hour, you have likely witnessed how I scribble notes on crumpled paper. Often, they are reminders to purchase items, things to relay to Sister, fashion tips and so on. More often, they are touching, funny, heartfelt statements from our guests.
Last night, we served vegetable tomato pasta soup, fluffy shepherd's pie and glistening meatloaf, a garden of hot vegetables, salad with a balsamic dressing, bananas and apples.

Our guests appreciated it all because it was prepared on-site with fresh seasonally spontaneous ingredients by trained lovers of cuisine. Their special punctuations to each meal are magically transferred from their hearts, to their hands, to the delicious fare that they create.

The critics (guests) were heard to say:
Where did you get this great salad dressing? Answer: Not purchased. Homemade from balsamic vinegar, mustard, canola oil, sugar, garlic, salt. Secret: Spice-driven seasonings over fatty additions.
This morning at breakfast, one homeless female guest tucking into gooey cheesey eggs, turned to another and remarked, "I come here simply for the food!" I swear, it's true.
"If the presentation was different, you could charge at least $30 a plate." (The truth is, we estimate $3 per person. Boy, oh, boy... Shakespeare's is making a tidy profit! Hey, I respect that half the experience is visual. Note to self: speak to Church.)

Hilton did the 10 to midnight shift last week and was told by a guest, “I've been to many shelters all across Canada, but this is by far the one with the best food!”  Finally, a 5-star Michelin Rating!
Sometimes, guests personalize their meals with salt and pepper. Others, who live across the street at the YMCA, will read the menu board, then run home before dinner service to grab some mayo, blue cheese dressing or ketchup. That's all good! How lucky are they to live so close to such a lively, noisy brasserie with attentive service. Others trek from long distances. Guests last night numbered 128 with 28 sleeping over. Next week's menu as we strive to empty our shelves and freezers, will feature: Pantry Poultry, Aged Freezer-friendly Chili and Tantalizing Tortellini!

Well that's enough foodie fodder for now.

Good news: the security guard's car was found, with approximately $1000 damage, in Brantford. Hallelujah!

Tall guest, John, who has been living with AIDS, returned after a year's absence, looking healthy and happy. Joy!

St. Patrick's Day is on our night, two weeks away! Panic! What to cook; are there any Irish Jews reading? We could do corned beef and cabbage. Will green cupcakes suffice? Ah, relief!

The catered Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is Thurs. April 2 at 5:45 pm, dinner at 6:15 at St. Mary's Parish Hall, 56 Mulberry St. (Kosher meals available upon request.) If you have not received your invitation, it's coming. The annual raffle with great prizes, proceeds to OOTC, tickets $2 each or 3 for $5. (If you would like to contribute a prize, please bring it one Tuesday soon. Re-gifting is permitted!) To RSVP, call the office at 308-8447, stating your name, which Church, on what night.  Guaranteed great time!

Rev. Horton prepared a moving song and speech for prayer last night. Some guests responded with hands raised in prayer. Amen!

See you next week. Cindy


Responses:

HI Cindy----great report as always-----must tell you one of the guests that I always talk to wanted me to know that he was on his way to the main library to see a movie-----Tuesday night is often free movie night---relax I told him that I thought it was great that he was going!--I had many many great comments on the food on Tuesday night------I just wonder what they will do when the season is over-----have a good week----Jeanette

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