This, rather, is the fasting I wish:
Releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; sharing your bread
with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked
when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Isaiah 58:6-7
St.
Theresa Homeless Meals
Central
Iowa Shelter and Services (formerly Churches United Shelter) is located at 205 15th
Street in Des Moines. It is an
overnight shelter that provides an evening meal and overnight sleeping space
for 120 people each night. St. Theresa
has been doing monthly meals at the Shelter since 1993.
The
meal is done on the 8th of each month. It takes over 60 people to organize, cook, buy supplies and serve
this meal for 120. St. Theresa is
famous at the shelter by both residents and staff for the wonderful meals.
How
it works: Each month, volunteers are
called to ask if they want to bring an entrée, salad, vegetable, dessert or
supplies (milk, paper products). Foil
pans are provided for the cooks to bring their food to the church. On the 8th each month, from 4-6,
the prepared food and supplies are brought to the church kitchen. At 5:45, the servers begin loading their
cars with the food and supplies and transport it all to the shelter. They unload and set up a serving line and
serve from 6:30 to 7:30.
We are
always in need of additional people to prepare food, to provide supplies (milk,
paper products) or to serve the meal at the shelter. If you would like to be a part of this monthly outreach, contact
Anita Holub by email anitah@q.com or at
251-6889.
St.
Joseph Family Shelter is the only residential shelter for families in Des Moines. It houses up to 5 families, with each family
staying up to 30 days. St. Theresa has
been providing monthly meals to St. Joseph’s since 1995.
The
meal is done on the 4th and 5th Fridays of the month for
20-30 parents and children at the shelter.
Other dates are also available as St. Joseph’s has many nights with no
group scheduled to provide the meal.
How
it works: The meal can either be
prepared and brought to the shelter or can be prepared onsite. Most groups chose to bring meal items either
cooked or oven-ready. Some of the more
creative meals have been done by groups that have brought a grill and provided
a barbecue meal—a real treat for the families.
The meal begins at 5:30. Meal
providers are welcome to stay and serve and share the meal with the guests in
this family-setting shelter.
Because
of the smaller numbers, this is a great volunteer family project for 1 or more
families or small groups. To sign up
for a month or get more information, contact Lindsay Amadeo by email llamadeo@yahoo.com or at 274-3874.
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