Hi ladies and gentlemen,
We've had a first! Well, actually, at least a few firsts for us since we moved over to Christ's Church Cathedral.
My emailed grocery list to Tuesday's 'shopper' went awry, so we arrived with recipes but no food. (Happily, Food Basics is just down the street.)
All the eggs that were cracked for the meatloaf contained twins. Oy, the cholesterol count !
Our guests numbered over 100 (100 exactly.) There was not a drop, crumb, or empty appetite left anywhere of all the pea soup, meatloaf with mushroom sauce, hot veggies, pasta and bananas!
The warm temperatures this week are setting records. Don't dial back your warmth:guest ratio. They can handle it!
So, not sure if a 'shehechiyanu' is warranted, but go ahead, you deserve it!
C
Thursday, 23 February 2017
February 15, 2017
Hi all
Everything was delicious!! soup to desserts. One of the 80 guests who hadn't been with us for a few weeks declared, "I just remembered how much I appreciate you guys. There's no place like this OOTC." Sweet Potato & Red Lentil soup, Southern Fried Chicken, Lasagne, Salad, Brownies with Valentine icing, and their choice of a box of chocolate covered almonds or a Caramilk bar, full-size not those teaser Halloweeners!
After we closed up, I took a homeless man shopping at Giant Tiger. Gotta say, for 8 or 9 years, off and on, Johnny has been around to entertain us with his Kansas City, MI accent, further affected by his alcohol infused breath, 6'5 frame, and flamboyant personality. Bought a comforter and shams with pics of wolves, a pillow, stretch pants for layering and four pairs of thermal socks. We both agreed that dusty rose is a G-d awful colour on any skintone and that G.T. is the bomb! He was going to 'sleep' next to our CCC which is his parish. Derek, the building manager has granted him permission. He was afraid of the cold but more fearful if a drunk would come along and beat him up. In the morning, Johnny would hop on a SOBI bike to the Wesley Centre where he'd grab a delicious OOTC breakfast. Did you know that low-income people can grab a bike for free with just a slight time restriction! All in all, Johnny Rotten (his name for himself) just can't behave!!!! Banned from the shelters for 2 weeks. Our shopping spree was not at all awkward but I did ask him if he thought that his life might turn around with some help. He looked me in the eye, and the for the first time ever, with a serious wide-eyed stare, he said, "Why would I ever set myself up for failure again?" Now, I'm used to people answering my questions with a question. After all, I am Jewish. But it doesn't make Johnny's future rosy, not even dusty-rosy.
Questions for the cooks: Who would like to grocery shop for next week, or the week after?
Comments for everyone: the daycare that occupies the kitchen really really needs us to avoid using their property unless it is put back perfectly. If you're one of our final shift members, please ask if you're unsure of an item or it's resting place. Every crumb must be cleaned, every garbage/green bin/blue bin bag put out. Her job and licence depends on us and her work day is made more difficult when she has to search for things or clean before she begins her day. Sorry. It's reasonable and she requests all of this with respect and patience and believes in our cause very much.
Finally, thanks for making everyone's Valentines Day very sweet with your positive attitudes, smiles and acceptance.
Cindy
Everything was delicious!! soup to desserts. One of the 80 guests who hadn't been with us for a few weeks declared, "I just remembered how much I appreciate you guys. There's no place like this OOTC." Sweet Potato & Red Lentil soup, Southern Fried Chicken, Lasagne, Salad, Brownies with Valentine icing, and their choice of a box of chocolate covered almonds or a Caramilk bar, full-size not those teaser Halloweeners!
After we closed up, I took a homeless man shopping at Giant Tiger. Gotta say, for 8 or 9 years, off and on, Johnny has been around to entertain us with his Kansas City, MI accent, further affected by his alcohol infused breath, 6'5 frame, and flamboyant personality. Bought a comforter and shams with pics of wolves, a pillow, stretch pants for layering and four pairs of thermal socks. We both agreed that dusty rose is a G-d awful colour on any skintone and that G.T. is the bomb! He was going to 'sleep' next to our CCC which is his parish. Derek, the building manager has granted him permission. He was afraid of the cold but more fearful if a drunk would come along and beat him up. In the morning, Johnny would hop on a SOBI bike to the Wesley Centre where he'd grab a delicious OOTC breakfast. Did you know that low-income people can grab a bike for free with just a slight time restriction! All in all, Johnny Rotten (his name for himself) just can't behave!!!! Banned from the shelters for 2 weeks. Our shopping spree was not at all awkward but I did ask him if he thought that his life might turn around with some help. He looked me in the eye, and the for the first time ever, with a serious wide-eyed stare, he said, "Why would I ever set myself up for failure again?" Now, I'm used to people answering my questions with a question. After all, I am Jewish. But it doesn't make Johnny's future rosy, not even dusty-rosy.
Questions for the cooks: Who would like to grocery shop for next week, or the week after?
Comments for everyone: the daycare that occupies the kitchen really really needs us to avoid using their property unless it is put back perfectly. If you're one of our final shift members, please ask if you're unsure of an item or it's resting place. Every crumb must be cleaned, every garbage/green bin/blue bin bag put out. Her job and licence depends on us and her work day is made more difficult when she has to search for things or clean before she begins her day. Sorry. It's reasonable and she requests all of this with respect and patience and believes in our cause very much.
Finally, thanks for making everyone's Valentines Day very sweet with your positive attitudes, smiles and acceptance.
Cindy
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
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