Summer 2007 - Volunteer Newsletter

“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul.                                                                                                                                         -Jesus of Nazareth

Old Saybrook Can & Bottle Redemption

SSKP is looking for a volunteer who is willing to take sorted bottles from the Old Saybrook Transfer Station (pre-sorted by OS Boy Scouts) and bring them to Stop & Shop for redemption. SSKP and the Boy Scouts would split the money generated 50/50.  If you are interested in helping in this very earth friendly fundraising activity please call 860.388.1988 or email pdowling@shorelinesoupkitchens.org.  It would entail about 1-2 hours per week of work.

Thank You!

                *Thank you to Micky Z. Komara for your hard work and perseverance in placing "Food Friendly Donation" signs in almost all of the grocery stores on the shoreline who collect for SSKP.

            *Thank you to Pam Kelley for your hard work and good humor as you (and your husband) have helped with critical fundraising and PR support work for SSKP!

* Thank you to all the volunteers for your hard work, strong muscles, and caring hearts! You are all deeply appreciated!

Help Needed

Volunteers are needed to help with the Heat n Eat program on Fridays at 11am. Stop in and ask for Homer or Cathy Mills at the Grace Episcopal Church Kitchen.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with shopping at the Connecticut Food Bank on Monday mornings. Leave a message for Marge Schofield at 388-1988 (Old Saybrook extension) and she will call you back and discuss the details.

Donor Appreciation

There are so many amazing people who touch our lives through the SSKP! From the young ones who ask for food donations in lieu of presents for their birthday parties to the clients who return to volunteer after they are back on their feet. This past month special thanks goes out to the young man and woman who were helping out at a pantry after their school community service requirements were met. They saw that the pantry was low on supplies and returned with 280 pounds of groceries that they purchased with their own money.

Dining Out Coupon Book

“Who Do We Serve?”

In April, 80 of our volunteers, staff and board of trustees gathered for a facilitated meeting to gather information, opinions and feelings from those present in response to the question:

"Who do we serve?"

This question has become more critical as the needs of our community and surrounding towns have grown.  As you know the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries has a long tradition of allowing all who are in need to attend.  We are presently experiencing a large increase of those attending our pantry sites who live outside our traditional service area.  And, there is a need to address this within the long held philosophy of our work while maintaining our long term viability.

The Board of Trustees would very much like to thank those who attended for sharing your ideas, responses, and experiences in relation to the question of who we serve.  In response to that question, and to address the majority of those present the Board of Trustees presents the following statement of service:

All those who attend The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries program sites will be provided with food and fellowship to the very best of our abilities.

If you have any questions please call 860.388.1988 or email

pdowling@shorelinesoupkitchens.org

Board Member Profile

My name is Joan Breindel and I wear many hats these days.  I wear a wife hat as I share my life with my wonderful husband, Joseph, who lets me be me. The wife hat is very comfortable and well worn.  I wear a mother’s hat with my children Jonathan and Jessica. (Did you catch all the J’s?  Aren’t we silly?) The mom hat used to be a football helmet but it has now become just a lovely visor.

 Jonathan is an executive assistant in Rhode Island and lives in Warwick.  Jessica lives in Victor, New York with her husband Jeremiah (oh, another J – with whom I wear a mother-in-law hat- that one is black and pointy).  They have twin sons, Kyle and Landen, who are two years old and the absolutely cutest, smartest, sweetest children in the world (and so I also have a grandmother hat – stove pipe, red & white stripe).  They call me Nanu- and that makes my heart sing.

I was an elementary teacher for years in northern New York (really northern – almost Canada) and those hats were always changing.  I once made over a 100 sets of mouse ears for a play – maybe that is the image you want. At one seminar for teaching I first heard of the legend of the starfish, the story which Lin has used in this newsletter.  It touched me so deeply – it truly affected my life.

 When Joseph and I retired we moved to Old Saybrook – the place where I had spent almost every year of my childhood! Retirement gave us time to reflect and try to “make a difference – one at a time”.   The Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries has become such an important part of my life.  The hat I wear here is truly one of my favorites.  I feel like it is a tiara!  As if I won a pageant!  Volunteering for SSK&P gives me a sense of wonder.  I work at the food pantry at St. Mark’s in Westbrook where I get to interact with guests and volunteers.  It is a place full of love, respect and caring.  I am in awe of the work that you and I do. I am also lucky enough to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees.  In both places give of our time, of course, but we all give of our hearts, too. That is what allows us to make a difference, one meal, one kind word, one hug at a time.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing me to wear a tiara next to you. 

Meal Site Profile

Wednesday Meal Site

The United Methodist Church of Clinton  

 5:00 to 6:00 pm

12 Commerce Street Clinton, Ct.

On Wednesday April 21, 1993 the United Methodist Church of Clinton started serving Wednesday night meals.  This was an effort of the Clinton Ecumenical Council.  The churches who were involved were: The First Church of Christ, Congregational, The Church of the Holy Advent, Episcopal, The Church of the Visitation, St. Mary’s and The United Methodist Church of Clinton.  Through the years The Cornerstone Church, the Masons and the Clinton Rotary Club have joined our rotation.  The Episcopal Church decided to become the Food Pantry site for Clinton instead of being part of the meal site. 

Our site has run very smoothly over the past 14 years.  The volunteers have been great!  Our numbers of guests have ranged from 10 to 40.  In 2007 we serve between 15 and 20 guests every Wednesday evening.

Being a part of the Shoreline Soup kitchens has been a rewarding experience to all involved, bringing the churches in the community closer together.

The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

How to Help

To volunteer, or to donate, or for any information about the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, please call or email Patty Dowling. Also, if you have ideas or comments about this newsletter, please contact our Partnership Coordinator, Linda Smith.