Monday, 16 January 2017
January 16, 2017
More great news!
With a little more discussion and coordination, we're now able to open at Christ's Church Cathedral at 4 pm ! 4 pm 4 pm!!
Do arrive a little earlier for your shifts, only if possible!
Are you as excited as I am?
Cindy
Sunday, 15 January 2017
January 15, 2017
Shavuah Tov, literally in Hebrew, "Good Week" or "Have a good week!"
So first, let's recognize that starting this week in the Torah, we begin to read from the Book of Exodus. Nice foreshadowing, God!
We're on the move starting this Tuesday. The extent of the damage resulting from the flooding at St Mary's was not minimal. We can only hope that their space is quickly restored and their wonderful, active and hospitable community can once again gather in their glorious space.
In the meantime, Christ Church Cathedral has generously offered us temporary space. CCC has been an OOTC host church on Saturday nights for a number of years. When approached for help, The Very Rev. Peter Wall did not hesitate to do a kindness for us, for our guests, and for God. Chesed v'emet. Love/Kindness and Truth. It's quite a turn for us, a group that does good, to be treated with such faithful kindness. We are so very grateful.
Their address is 252 James Street North, just north of the Armouries. If driving, please park in the back lot accessible from Hughson St., or find street parking. From the lot, walk along the pathway between the playground and main church building. Straight ahead there's a lovely old door. Press the white buttoned doorbell for entry. Once inside, keep turning right until you are met by security and/or find the parish hall :) Particularly at night, please pay attention to your surroundings at all times, buddy up, if possible and leave personal belongings at home.
In order to accommodate the families leaving from the on-site daycare and the arrival of our guests, we will open for our guests at 5 pm. There will not be a soup course - at least not for now, just straight into a delicious main course. The parish hall is much smaller than that of St. Mary's with a seating capacity of 80, therefore, patiently waiting guests will be seated (once they tip the maitre d', or) after first-comers have eaten and left. If your shift usually starts just before 4 pm, please arrive instead at 4:15 for an orientation. Some of us shadowed CCC's OOTC cooks/setting up/serving/clean up teams today. We're now equipped with their experience and, with our usual humour and countless personal opinions of the Jewish kind, we'll do just fine!!!
See you on Tuesday.
L'shalom,
Cindy
Friday, 13 January 2017
January 4, 2017
Hello dear cooks!
Wonderful to report that yesterday Shirley moved to Shalom Village Convalescence Care to recuperate from her surgery. Moving around with ease, including cutting vegetables for large dinner soirees, is difficult. However, physio starts tomorrow morning and will continue every weekday morning. Her spirits are very high and she's ready to work hard. Refuah shleimah, Shirley!
Not to be outdone in the 'strength and determination' department, at lunch yesterday, the cooks convincingly put forward a request for a new food processor. Joanne will speak with Susan who may know the best product at the best price. The cooks also requested that I spread the word that anyone wishing to make any contribution, Joanne will collect and if there's a shortage, there will not be a problem covering it from our OOTC funds.
So, due to the above exhibitions of gratitude, generosity and effort, I was reminded of this great d'var by Rabbi Wolpe. Hope you like it! Stay warm and see you next Tuesday.
Cindy
Why Me?
A psychiatrist received the following postcard from a vacationing former patient: "Having a wonderful time. Why?" It is a good question. I have often observed that people come to my office when bad things happen and wonder why God permitted this difficulty in their lives. But far less often do I hear, "You know, I was born to loving parents in the richest country in the world. Why me?" It is natural to assume that we deserve all the blessings given to us but the trials and tragedies are undeserved. Yet so much of our good fortune is in fact unearned. If you have a functioning brain, it is a gift. If you were born into a loving family, it is a gift. If you have never gone hungry, been caught in a natural disaster, on and on — you have been extravagantly blessed. Surely that merits wondering why? It merits something else as well, gratitude and a sense of responsibility. We should not feel guilty for good fortune, but we should be grateful and try to spread it to others. The answer to blessing is prayer and tzedakah. If we practice both, that may be the answer to the question, why me?
Wonderful to report that yesterday Shirley moved to Shalom Village Convalescence Care to recuperate from her surgery. Moving around with ease, including cutting vegetables for large dinner soirees, is difficult. However, physio starts tomorrow morning and will continue every weekday morning. Her spirits are very high and she's ready to work hard. Refuah shleimah, Shirley!
Not to be outdone in the 'strength and determination' department, at lunch yesterday, the cooks convincingly put forward a request for a new food processor. Joanne will speak with Susan who may know the best product at the best price. The cooks also requested that I spread the word that anyone wishing to make any contribution, Joanne will collect and if there's a shortage, there will not be a problem covering it from our OOTC funds.
So, due to the above exhibitions of gratitude, generosity and effort, I was reminded of this great d'var by Rabbi Wolpe. Hope you like it! Stay warm and see you next Tuesday.
Cindy
Why Me?
A psychiatrist received the following postcard from a vacationing former patient: "Having a wonderful time. Why?" It is a good question. I have often observed that people come to my office when bad things happen and wonder why God permitted this difficulty in their lives. But far less often do I hear, "You know, I was born to loving parents in the richest country in the world. Why me?" It is natural to assume that we deserve all the blessings given to us but the trials and tragedies are undeserved. Yet so much of our good fortune is in fact unearned. If you have a functioning brain, it is a gift. If you were born into a loving family, it is a gift. If you have never gone hungry, been caught in a natural disaster, on and on — you have been extravagantly blessed. Surely that merits wondering why? It merits something else as well, gratitude and a sense of responsibility. We should not feel guilty for good fortune, but we should be grateful and try to spread it to others. The answer to blessing is prayer and tzedakah. If we practice both, that may be the answer to the question, why me?
December 14, 2016
Hi everyone,
Hope you've welcomed Winter!
It is beginning to look a lot like the holiday season. Next week, we will be hosting our annual Hanukkah Out of the Cold celebration with gift bags of toiletries, Susan's famous brisket, latkes for all, and candle lighting with some of the older Beth Jacob Hebrew School students. Can you make any hanukkah cookies for our guests? Bring them PLEASE.
Our group has really found our stride, and our guests have really found us! It takes a big commitment from all of you to make sure that Tuesdays are well-staffed. We are now a team and if you would like to wear the team swag, we're offering HOOTC logoed shirts/sweatshirts for purchase. See attached info. Sorry for the short notice; all orders must be in by next Tuesday, Dec 20th accompanied by cash only.
As many of you remember, for many years, our OOTC commitment included a very meaningful shelter component. That ended in 2010 when enough women's beds were available for the need. Times have changed. Too many women are being turned away from the shelters and money to cover emergency beds isn't enough. Therefore, our OOTC Board has agreed to commit to fund ten additional beds at the YWCA which brings their total to sixty. This $30,000 does not come from the Jewish community's Tuesday funds, but it does come from our collective mission to support the needs of the stranger, the widow, the fatherless and the poor.
Unfortunately we had a very disturbing incident occur at our site last Tuesday. As all of our guests were departing dinner service, one of our 'regulars' punched a wheelchair bound guest named J in the face. J required emergency medical attention for a broken nose. Any incidents of a physical nature are very concerning, this one is particularly disturbing to hear considering that Jonathan had just been released from hospital two days before after having brain surgery. Peter, our security guard, responded very quickly and paramedics/police were called. Paramedics treated J at the scene and then transported him to the General for additional care. The police spoke with J at the hospital to obtain his official statement and investigated this matter. We hope for an update tomorrow. As of last Wednesday, the individual is banned from all HOOTC sites. This incident highlights our need to be vigilant at all times.
As we gather to sanctify the holidays this year, it's natural to look skyward, not just for snow but to the One above who has connected us as a group and, therefore, a threat to hunger and despair. “Pray as if everything depended on God; act as if everything depended on you.” Rabbi Ferdinand Isserman
.... and we shall see you tomorrow.
Cindy
Hope you've welcomed Winter!
It is beginning to look a lot like the holiday season. Next week, we will be hosting our annual Hanukkah Out of the Cold celebration with gift bags of toiletries, Susan's famous brisket, latkes for all, and candle lighting with some of the older Beth Jacob Hebrew School students. Can you make any hanukkah cookies for our guests? Bring them PLEASE.
Our group has really found our stride, and our guests have really found us! It takes a big commitment from all of you to make sure that Tuesdays are well-staffed. We are now a team and if you would like to wear the team swag, we're offering HOOTC logoed shirts/sweatshirts for purchase. See attached info. Sorry for the short notice; all orders must be in by next Tuesday, Dec 20th accompanied by cash only.
As many of you remember, for many years, our OOTC commitment included a very meaningful shelter component. That ended in 2010 when enough women's beds were available for the need. Times have changed. Too many women are being turned away from the shelters and money to cover emergency beds isn't enough. Therefore, our OOTC Board has agreed to commit to fund ten additional beds at the YWCA which brings their total to sixty. This $30,000 does not come from the Jewish community's Tuesday funds, but it does come from our collective mission to support the needs of the stranger, the widow, the fatherless and the poor.
Unfortunately we had a very disturbing incident occur at our site last Tuesday. As all of our guests were departing dinner service, one of our 'regulars' punched a wheelchair bound guest named J in the face. J required emergency medical attention for a broken nose. Any incidents of a physical nature are very concerning, this one is particularly disturbing to hear considering that Jonathan had just been released from hospital two days before after having brain surgery. Peter, our security guard, responded very quickly and paramedics/police were called. Paramedics treated J at the scene and then transported him to the General for additional care. The police spoke with J at the hospital to obtain his official statement and investigated this matter. We hope for an update tomorrow. As of last Wednesday, the individual is banned from all HOOTC sites. This incident highlights our need to be vigilant at all times.
As we gather to sanctify the holidays this year, it's natural to look skyward, not just for snow but to the One above who has connected us as a group and, therefore, a threat to hunger and despair. “Pray as if everything depended on God; act as if everything depended on you.” Rabbi Ferdinand Isserman
.... and we shall see you tomorrow.
Cindy
November 27, 2016
Bellissimo!
A dinner as delicious as last Tuesday's can only be accomplished by women as magnificent as our morning cooking ensemble. The picture attempts to capture the warm heartedness of this cohesive group, their determination to feed nutritious meals to people seeking social interaction, warmth and a satisfying meal.
Menu: minestrone soup, meat lasagne, vegetarian lasagne, caesar salad with house-made croutons and dressing, fruit.
Some of the 153 guests said, "You're still the champs." "Just like being in Italy."
"Serving wine tonight?" "Encore!"
See you soon,
Cindy
A dinner as delicious as last Tuesday's can only be accomplished by women as magnificent as our morning cooking ensemble. The picture attempts to capture the warm heartedness of this cohesive group, their determination to feed nutritious meals to people seeking social interaction, warmth and a satisfying meal.
Menu: minestrone soup, meat lasagne, vegetarian lasagne, caesar salad with house-made croutons and dressing, fruit.
Some of the 153 guests said, "You're still the champs." "Just like being in Italy."
"Serving wine tonight?" "Encore!"
See you soon,
Cindy
November 1, 2016
Hi Cooks!
What an opening! Guests: 95 Chicken: 8 (pieces left)
Must tell you because it just doesn't seem right to receive all the words of appreciation, the smiles, the sense of relief, the reunions, the satisfying flavours and service.
Even with plugged main sinks, you rocked! Sometime before next week, I'm going to label the shelves on Rocky, the rolling shelving unit, so we're better organized on Week Two. If you have any recipes you'd like to share, please send or bring next week for discussion. We've never voted in recipes before but maybe I'm too wrapped up with an upcoming election in the South.
A suggestion or two: First to arrive, wipe down the surfaces as we did today. Someone can step up to turn on the fan and ovens. We do this already, but for the newcomers to our team, take at least two trollies into the pantry area to retrieve and place in their special spots: cuisinart, soup base, detergent, spray bottle & glove box and sponge/scrubber red bin, etc. To the stage: Salt & Pepper, Sugar box, spoons, forks, knives. When we help unload the shopper's and my cars, please place the items in their intended places. ie: fruit goes on the stage; milk, margarine, etc in the fridge; juice on the microwave counter. When Rocky arrives, unload containers onto the table by the kitchen door. ex: knives, tongs, misc container, long spoons, etc. Their lids can come off and be placed underneath their containers. This way there will be less chance of contamination and keeps the island clear of clutter for prep.
Any other ideas? Are you satisfied with tuna, bread and salad every week, year in, year out? I'll grab some garbanzos
Thanks everyone. Really, tonight was magic. You were the spark!
Cindy
What an opening! Guests: 95 Chicken: 8 (pieces left)
Must tell you because it just doesn't seem right to receive all the words of appreciation, the smiles, the sense of relief, the reunions, the satisfying flavours and service.
Even with plugged main sinks, you rocked! Sometime before next week, I'm going to label the shelves on Rocky, the rolling shelving unit, so we're better organized on Week Two. If you have any recipes you'd like to share, please send or bring next week for discussion. We've never voted in recipes before but maybe I'm too wrapped up with an upcoming election in the South.
A suggestion or two: First to arrive, wipe down the surfaces as we did today. Someone can step up to turn on the fan and ovens. We do this already, but for the newcomers to our team, take at least two trollies into the pantry area to retrieve and place in their special spots: cuisinart, soup base, detergent, spray bottle & glove box and sponge/scrubber red bin, etc. To the stage: Salt & Pepper, Sugar box, spoons, forks, knives. When we help unload the shopper's and my cars, please place the items in their intended places. ie: fruit goes on the stage; milk, margarine, etc in the fridge; juice on the microwave counter. When Rocky arrives, unload containers onto the table by the kitchen door. ex: knives, tongs, misc container, long spoons, etc. Their lids can come off and be placed underneath their containers. This way there will be less chance of contamination and keeps the island clear of clutter for prep.
Any other ideas? Are you satisfied with tuna, bread and salad every week, year in, year out? I'll grab some garbanzos
Thanks everyone. Really, tonight was magic. You were the spark!
Cindy
September 2016
Hello OOTC Volunteers!
Hope you've had a wonderful Spring and Summer. Pretty soon you may begin stretching out the OOTC muscles for our 17th Season which begins on Tuesday, November
1 at our host church, St. Mary's! It won't be long before we’re off and running, feeding the souls and stomachs of our guests.
If you would like to volunteer from 10 am to 4 pm, as soon as possible, please confirm by texting/calling with Cindy. If your shift is 4 to 6:30 pm, confirm by texting/calling with Norma. Should you have any questions, ideas, suggestions, you know we're always ready to listen. This is an important group effort which we want to keep evolving so that your time and focus is most meaningful.
If you know like-minded individuals who would be interested in our program, please send the attached flyer to them. Information regarding the Thurs. Oct. 13th orientation, shifts, duties, lists of needed food, toiletries, and monetary donations is described within.
Finally, it is important to share some other news. Our Board's Executive Director, Sister Nancy Sullivan, has committed to additional leadership roles within the Sisters of St. Joseph. With sadness, she has rendered her resignation effective Oct. 26. We are so grateful for Sister's wisdom, enthusiasm, strength and pray that her efforts to serve in her next role will be as rewarding and meaningful to her and those whom she serves. Attached is a job posting which we hope you, or someone you know, might consider.
Shanah Tova. A healthy, peaceful and fulfilling year to all of you.
Cindy and Norma
Hope you've had a wonderful Spring and Summer. Pretty soon you may begin stretching out the OOTC muscles for our 17th Season which begins on Tuesday, November
1 at our host church, St. Mary's! It won't be long before we’re off and running, feeding the souls and stomachs of our guests.
If you would like to volunteer from 10 am to 4 pm, as soon as possible, please confirm by texting/calling with Cindy. If your shift is 4 to 6:30 pm, confirm by texting/calling with Norma. Should you have any questions, ideas, suggestions, you know we're always ready to listen. This is an important group effort which we want to keep evolving so that your time and focus is most meaningful.
If you know like-minded individuals who would be interested in our program, please send the attached flyer to them. Information regarding the Thurs. Oct. 13th orientation, shifts, duties, lists of needed food, toiletries, and monetary donations is described within.
Finally, it is important to share some other news. Our Board's Executive Director, Sister Nancy Sullivan, has committed to additional leadership roles within the Sisters of St. Joseph. With sadness, she has rendered her resignation effective Oct. 26. We are so grateful for Sister's wisdom, enthusiasm, strength and pray that her efforts to serve in her next role will be as rewarding and meaningful to her and those whom she serves. Attached is a job posting which we hope you, or someone you know, might consider.
Shanah Tova. A healthy, peaceful and fulfilling year to all of you.
Cindy and Norma
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