Center Church on the Green recently held a clothing and food drive for DESK. This helped many of guests through the cold weather!

 

New group Squash Haven came to help stock and reorganize DESK’s pantry shelves. We are excited to welcome the kids in this group whose activities include playing squash and serving the community.

Orange Congregational Church conducted a sweater drive for DESK. The guests were very happy to have such a great choice of sweaters. Thanks so much!

 

St. Joseph’s in New Haven donated the proceeds from their huge food drive in March. Thank you for thinking of DESK!

 

 

DESK Chef Jeanne May will prepare a special Easter Sunday evening meal for our DESK guests on March 23. It’s too soon to tell, but Jeanne usually has special gifts for guests, as well.

 

DESK is preparing to celebrate the twelfth annual Soup Night at the Unitarian Society

(700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden) on Sunday, April 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in honor of its many volunteers from 2007. Included are of the following individuals and groups:

 

    Amy Aaland

    Joseph A. Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale

    Congregation Or Shalom

    Temple Emmanuel in Orange

    Temple Beth Shalom

    Yale Hillel and Temple Beth David

    Hamden Hall

    New Haven County Bar Association

    Joseph Dunlevy, Stillwater American Bistro

    Chabaso Bakery

    South Central Regional Water Authority

    Yale Hunger & Homelessness Action Project

    …and many more!

 

The event will feature fare from some of New Haven’s great local eateries, including delectable hors d’oeuvres, savory soups, and delicious salads accompanied by a variety of breads, desserts, and selected wines and beverages.

 

Tickets will be $25 at the door, and all proceeds benefit DESK.

 

    Eliza Schafler

    Hans Anderson

    Julia Galeota

    Pria Anand

    Jane Levy

 

2007 Awardees:

    Eliza Schafler

    Pria Anand

    Hans Anderson

    Jordan Wolf

    Jane Levy

 

DESK is starting a new campaign to replace the old wooden shelving at its 311 Temple Street pantry. Several shelving units have collapsed and others will soon follow if we don’t replace these wooden shelves with new, stainless steel ones. Metal shelves will also be easier to clean, more durable, and safer. Individuals or groups have the opportunity to donate a single shelving unit, which is priced at between $300 and $400. Each unit donated will have a metal face plate with you or your group’s name. Shelving can also be donated in memory of a specific person or group.

 

If you or your group wishes to help with this campaign, please send your donation and information of how you wish to have the face plates on each of the shelving units you donate engraved to:

    DESK

    c/o PSC08

    P.O. Box 1478

    New Haven, CT 06506.

 

DESK will be working on estimates and floor plans throughout February and March. Dependent on donor response, we would like to have some new shelving in place by the end of March or early April.

 

Spring is just around the corner, and this spring DESK will attempt to plant an herb garden somewhere on the grounds of the Center Church parish house. Chef Jeanne uses fresh herbs daily in most of her cooking, and growing our own herbs would be a big help.

 

For the gardeners among you who would like to donate herb seeds, please bring them to the central kitchen by mid-April. Jeanne especially recommends basil, parsley, chives, and oregano, which are hearty in the soil and useful in the kitchen. The best times for drop off are Sunday through Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

If so, please consider planting an extra row of vegetables or herbs for DESK! Chef Jeanne cooks with fresh produce every day, so extra vegetables and herbs are welcome in the DESK kitchen at any time of the year. By the way, this would make a great summer family project!

 

 

Summer is a great time to help at DESK: in the summer, the number of guests is very high, and at the same time, many volunteer groups and schools are on vacation. Summer is therefore a great time for families and other sorts of groups to get involved with DESK.

 

 

DESK is in search of a person with a passion for food and a good work ethic. The position is 40 hours per week, Sunday to Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Applicants must be able to take control of the kitchen when needed and supervise evening meals. We can train you. We need a self-starter!

Necessary qualifications include:

    At least 21 years of age

    A valid CT driver’s license

    Passage of security screen and drug test

    Ability to lift 50 pounds repeatedly (loading and unloading of the DESK van are among the responsibilities of the position).

 

DESK is looking for applicants who are: physically strong, energetic, enthusiastic; possessed of great people skills; and observant.

It is also preferred that applicants:

    Possess strong interaction skills with groups
    Thrive in a high paced environment full of excitement
    Possess great work ethic
    Have uncompromising approach to standards, specs and sanitation
    Be able to motivate and develop team members

Other helpful skills include:

    Communication skills

    Computer skills
    Strong attention to detail
    Organizational skills
    Ability to multitask

 

 

 

 

To be removed from the E-Newsletter mailing list, please email webmaster@downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com.

 

Diana M. Richter

Executive Director

P.O. Box 1478

New Haven, CT 06506

Phone: 203-624-6426

Fax: 203-624-2116

director@downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com