The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen

http://www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com/

Upcoming Events

Food Drive!

On Tuesday, June 6 , New Haven will join hunger-relief organizations across the United States to raise awareness of food insecurity and malnutrition in our communities. Members of the New Haven Emergency Food Council (EFC), which provide meals and services for low-income and no-income residents, will collect non-perishable food and monetary donations in the parking lot of the Center Church on the Green from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

New Haven residents and commuters can easily make a difference by dropping off a can of food or a whole bag of groceries . Volunteers will be in the church parking lot so donors don’t even have to get out of their cars. Monetary donations will also be accepted and divided among the participating programs to defray the cost of operating hunger-relief programs. The New Haven EFC programs include Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen , Community Soup Kitchen, Christian Community Action, Community Dining Room, and Connecticut Food Bank.

Toast on the Terrace

Please join us for D.E.S.K.'s third annual “Toast on the Terrace” overlooking the harbor and city of New Haven. The event will be on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the 12 th floor of 205 Church St (the law offices of Tyler, Cooper & Alcorn). View the calendar on D.E.S.K.’s website for more information.

Ride to End Hunger

In September, the “Ride to End Hunger” will take place in and around New Haven. If you have a motorcycle, check out the D.E.S.K. website for more information on this exciting event!

Quick Notes

Summer Help

D.E.S.K. is looking for groups to help on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during the summer from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Four to ten people are needed at these times to unload the van, to stock shelves, to finish preparing meals, and to work on special projects. Both shifts are open beginning the first week in June . A "group" could consist of you and a few friends, but c ome on over even if you’re volunteering alone. If you can help in any way, D.E.S.K. needs you! Email Jeanne with questions.

Visit D.E.S.K.

Are you interested in seeing what goes on at D.E.S.K.? Stop by 311 Temple Street on the second or fourth Thursday of any month around 5:45 p.m! There you can grab an apron and help out or just visit with the guests. Volunteer groups are already scheduled at these times, but we here at D.E.S.K. like folks to see where our main operations are.

Thanks & Recognition

Pizza Party

Domino's Pizza (357 Whalley Ave, New Haven) delivered 20 extra-large pizzas at 5:30 p.m. on May 11 to 311 Temple Street.

Owner Tom Curtis commented, "I hope that by having pizza night for the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen we can provide a nutritious meal and a fun experience to those who need it most. New Haven is a great place to live and work. If businesses reach out and help meaningful causes such as D.E.S.K., our city can be a great place for all of its residents."

The pizzas were delivered by manager Kevin Barnes and Tom Curtis, the restaurant’s owner . All D.E.S.K.’s guests loved the pizza night! Visit Domino’s Pizza of New Haven on the web at www.dominosnewhaven.com.

Current Needs

Food

We are in the beginning of summer, and this means D.E.S.K. gets very busy! Summer food drives are always very helpful between June and August.

D.E.S.K. accepts all food donations , but most helpful are boxes of cereal, canned soups, canned vegetables, dry pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned fish (tuna), peanut butter, jelly, and dried milk. Also, the kitchen is always in desperate need of eggs , whether it’s one dozen or more. Butter and cooking spices (Italian Seasoning, garlic salt, regular salt, black pepper, Adobo, crushed red pepper, and cinnamon) are also very much appreciated.

Remember: food donations can be made at 311 Temple Street Sunday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Grocery Bags

D.E.S.K. goes through approximately 200 plastic grocery bags per week. Do you know of anyone who can help supply grocery bags? For two years, Shaw’s on Whalley Avenue has provided grocery bags, but the store is no longer able to do so. D.E.S.K. would appreciate gifts of any number of bags—if you find some, they are needed! Bags can be dropped off at 311 Temple Street Sunday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Information

Food Donations

Drop off donations at 311 Temple Street between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, or call the kitchen (203-772-3400) or email Jeanne.

Volunteer Opportunities

For volunteer opportunities, contact JeanneMarieMay@aol.com.

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Contact D.E.S.K.

Diana M. Richter

Executive Director

P.O. Box 1478

New Haven, CT 06506

Phone: 203-624-6426

Fax: 203-624-2116

director@downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com