We love to hear the stories of hope and joy that friends feel when they come to the Downtown Community Dinner. While walking up the sidewalk one friend overhead a Mom of two older special needs boys saying, "Look at what is painted on the side of the shed. It's LOVE." Then she added, "That's what you are going to find inside this place." The love that she sees and feels is shown when friends work together to set up the dining room with special touches, volunteers connect while cutting vegetables in the kitchen, and guests are welcomed in with hugs, smiles and friendly conversations. It is a blessing to see the relationships that are forming and the important friendships that are continuing outside of the dinners. Thanks to the support we receive from so many faith groups, organizations and individuals in the community, we are able to serve a delicious meal to over 180 people every week, hand out over 50 snack bags to school aged children, and provide gently used clothing/coats/shoes and other items for those who need them. With your donations of unopened candies and cookies, every friend went home with a special treat from the New Year's dinner. We are excited that every few weeks we will also be handing out some much needed items for seniors who attend the dinners. We continue to pray for strength and healing for 12-year old Shannon, who is battling brain cancer. She will undergo another round of chemotherapy at the end of this month if her levels are stable. It means a great deal to Shannon's family to know that there are so many people who care about them.
"Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another."
John 13: 34
Most needed items:
Adults or older youth to help monthly with the children's crafts/activities (5-6:00 pm or 6-7:30pm)
Individuals who have a heart for caring about and connecting with others
Help to buy groceries on Thursday or Friday am
Source to purchase name tags (we use 200 every Friday)
Source to purchase items for seniors (i.e. Polident, diabetic cookies, reading glasses, etc.)
Valentine's Day candy treats
Desserts for Friday dinners
Upcoming Dinners:
Jan. 27 – Burlington Meeting House
Feb. 3 – Wellington Square and Friends/Men In Apron's (volunteers for both shifts needed..no more children)
Feb. 10 – St. Luke’s (second shift volunteers needed)
Feb. 17 – Burlington Baptist
Feb. 24 –Burlington Meeting House
March 2 – Wellington Square and Friends/Men In Apron's (volunteers for both shifts needed)
March 9 – Wellington Square and Friends (volunteers for both shifts needed)
*Due to the fact that more guests are coming early to set up the dining room, we have fewer jobs for children to do at the dinners.
