E-Newsletter October 2007

 

The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen

 

Thanks and Recognition

Cook and Care “Walk-A-Thon”

The weather was wonderful for the eleventh annual Cook and Care “Walk-A-Thon,” which took place on Sunday, October 14, 2007, at Edgerton Park (Whitney Ave, New Haven). Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Community Soup Kitchen, FISH, and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers all benefitted from this event.

 

DESK would like to say a big thanks to Blanche Baldwin and Bill Hyde, Jr., two of our very own board members who helped with registration. The Walk-A-Thon saw many participants this year, including students from Foote School, Common Ground School, and Hopkins School. Entertainment and delicious refreshments made it a fun event for all ages, and walkers received special Cook and Care T-shirts. Thanks is also extended to Channel 8’s Sara Welch and Gil Simmons, who were the honorary chairpersons this year.

 

Exemplar Generosity

A special thanks goes to Ben Ledbetter and Debbie Freedman, who gave a very generous donation to DESK in October. This donation was equal to many of the yearly grants for which DESK applies! Thank you so very much!

 

A Heroic Effort

Thank you to Brendan and Alex of the Foote School, who personally raised $100 and had groceries delivered by Pea Pod for the DESK pantry. For over 12 years, Foote School volunteers supervised by Lynne Valentine help every Wednesday at DESK evening meals.

 

Temple Emmanuel

Temple Emmanuel in Orange have just finished their fourteenth annual food drive, and their efforts this year provided hundreds of pounds of food to the DESK pantry.

 

Responding to the Need

We would like to say a special thanks to all the individuals and groups who have heard DESK’s call for support, responding with food drives throughout October. Here are a few of the food drives’ organizers:

    Margaret Mann

    Center Church

    Foote School

    Church of the Redeemer

 

Korean Church

DESK thanks the Korean Church of New Haven for their recent food drive and their weekly volunteer support.

 

Upcoming Events

CT Zombiefest

In response to the crisis at DESK, the first annual CT Zombiefest, to take place on October 20 at 8:00 p.m., will help raise support for our organization. The event is sponsored by The New Haven Advocate and Magic Hat Brewing Company, and zombie participants should arrive at Bottega Lounge in Temple Plaza with canned and nonperishable food items (as specified on the CT Zombiefest website—www.ctzombiefest.com). Although all participants are asked to come in character, volunteer makeup artists will be available to assist those who may require more “goring up” (makeup donated by Costume Bazaar). During the evening, there will be music provided by DJ Eric Bruce, a freakshow by local New Haven troupe, Circus Delecti, movies, and a costume contest.

 

Eleven other establishments, besides Bottega Lounge, are participating:

    •    Anna Liffey’s (17 Whitney Avenue)

    •    BAR (254 Crown Street)

    •    Black Bear (124 Temple Street)

    •    Cafè Bottega (910 Chapel Street)

    •    Christopher Martin’s (860 State Street)

    •    Christy on Orange (261 Orange Street)

    •    JP Dempsey’s (974 State Street)

    •    Playwright (144 Temple Street)

    •    Richter’s (990 Chapel Street)

    •    Sidebar (259 Orange Street)

    •    Temple Grill (152 Temple Street)

 

These establishments will offer Magic Hat drink specials to anyone who shows up in zombie attire. For more information, and a radio broadcast about the event, please visit the CT Zombiefest website (www.ctzombiefest.com).

 

Current Needs

Financial Situation

    DESK

    P.O. Box 1478

    New Haven, CT 06506

 

Note: DESK is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.

 

Drastic Food Shortage

D.E.S.K. is experiencing a drastic shortage of canned and nonperishable food items. How can you help? Host a food drive! Food drives play an important role in D.E.S.K.’s mission to alleviate hunger in Connecticut. Schools, businesses, youth groups, service organizations, theater and arts groups, congregations, neighborhoods, families, and groups of friends have all conducted successful food drives in the past, and so can you!

 

Here’s how it works: you start a food drive for D.E.S.K. at your place of work, in your school, or at your church or synagogue. Afterward, D.E.S.K. will pick up the food items. It’s that simple. Of course, if you’re able, you’re also welcome to deliver the items yourself to D.E.S.K.’s central pantry (311 Temple St), Monday through Thursday, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

 

The “most-needed” list includes:

    •    Family-size cans of sweet potatoes

    •    Chicken broth

    •    Cans and packets of turkey gravy

    •    Adobo

    •    Sage

    •    Powdered chicken bouillon (preferred in jars)

    •    Cans of green beans

    •    Butter

    •    Stuffing

    •    Cans of cranberry sauce

    •    Garlic powder

    •    Mayonnaise

    •    Cereal

    •    Cans of meat and tuna

    •    Soups

    •    Powdered milk

    •    Beans (dry or canned)

    •    Oatmeal

    •    Pasta

    •    Rice

    •    Peanut butter

    •    Jelly

    •    Boxes of crackers

 

 

Quick Notes

Centralization of Operations

DESK’s relocation of evening meals to 311 Temple Street is going very well. Both guests and volunteers benefit from the simplicity of a single location, and food can be served piping hot, directly to the table from the new “Baldwin.” The Baldwin, our new commercial steamer, is named after DESK Board Member Blanche Baldwin, who helped purchase and install this wonderful new piece if equipment. Steamed foods enable DESK to serve more hot food with more nutrition, since foods need not be baked for long periods of time.

 

Sundays at Slifka

The Yale Hunger Heroes are now serving DESK’s Sunday meals at the Silfka Center (80 Wall St) and the Friday meals at United Church (323 Temple St). Visit the Hunger Heroes website for more information (www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com/hunger_heroes.html).

 

Complete and Updated Schedule

For a complete listing of DESK’s meals and locations, please view the weekly schedule on our website (www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com/schedule.html).

 

Information

Food Donations

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Removal from E-Newsletter List

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

 

Emergency Food Council

 

Contact DESK

Diana M. Richter

Executive Director

P.O. Box 1478

New Haven, CT 06506

Phone: 203-624-6426

Fax: 203-624-2116

director@downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com