The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com
Thanks and Recognition
Summer Toast 2008
At the Summer Toast 2008, DESK honored the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the Ladies’ Home Missionary Society, the First Church of Christ, and Center Church on the Green. DESK supporters enjoyed wine, music, and the opportunity to tour the exhibitions of the Yale Peabody Museum.
Denise Canning represented and accepted an award for the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, an organization from which DESK has been receiving grant funding for over 20 years. Their support of DESK has been unmatched throughout DESK’s history. Blanche Baldwin, DESK Board member and Treasurer of the Ladies’ Home Missionary Society accepted an award on behalf of the Society honoring their commitment to DESK since 1981. Both the Foundation and the Society believe in the DESK’s mission, and they have proved integral in sustaining DESK’s direct foodservice programs over the years.
Music for the Summer Toast was provided by Jay Gitlin and Chris Coulter of the Bales-Gitlin Band. Wine was generously donated by Odd Bins Bottle Shop (New Haven), desserts were prepared and donated by Chabaso Bakery (New Haven), and delicious hors d’œuvres were handcrafted by DESK Chef Jeanne May.
A hearty thanks goes out to Justine and Casey for tending the bar and dispensing the wine and beverages.
Thanks are also due to DESK Board Members Cindy McCarroll, Bill Hyde, and Elizabeth Duryea, and to volunteer Henry Ford, all of whom helped set up before the event and clean up afterward.
The entire celebration was generously sponsored by YHHAP (Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project) and the Yale Hunger Heroes.
Outstanding Summer Volunteers
A special round of thanks are in order for some of our many summer friends and volunteers:
Michelle Reynard has been rallying helpers, collecting donations, and photographing our events, as well as playing the role of sous-chef and serving meals every Tuesday. Michelle is a professional photographer who has offered her services at numerous DESK events. For more information about her services, please visit her website.
Our “produce whisperers” are also deserving of a big thanks. Emmet, George, YWAM (Leah, Zoe, Ricky, and others), Melissa, George, Carter, Chris, Hilla, McKale, and Christ Church of Bethany (liaison Tricia Paisely).
Also, DESK thanks the great youth group BEKI, whose members have jumped in full-steam to help us.
Tricia Paisley was so thoughtful as to receive spices in lieu of birthday gifts this month, which she then donated to DESK. She brought in two tubs of spices!
Another thanks also to our longtime Wednesday night helper, Margaret, for all the spices she has been bringing in for months.
Branford Bible Group helped DESK by picking up extra days throughout the summer to bail us out. These folks are great!
New volunteers jumping on board this summer include: Temple B’Nai Jacob, Shalom United Church (liaison Michelle Reynard), and the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge # 25. Members of the Order of the Elks are new, once-monthly servers besides being sponsors of our upcoming Ride To End Hunger charity motorcycle ride.
Also starting this month is Marrakech, Inc. We welcome this new group to DESK!
Air Conditioner
One cool thanks is owed to Dan Oren, who answered our plea for an air conditioner for the DESK pantry. Dan donated a unit that will be installed and running by the end of this week. Many hot volunteers—not to mention all the DESK staff—thank you so very much!
Upcoming Events
Drag Show II
It’s back… Drag Show II! If you missed the drag show to benefit DESK in January, be sure not to miss it this July! As in January, this event will be presented by the Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut at Lodge #25 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (524 State Street, New Haven) and will feature drag performers from Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island. Join us for a night of fun, support, raffles, and more.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets at the door ($20 per person)
Cash bar
You must be 18 or older to attend and 21 or older to drink.
Pictures from the drag show in January can be found on the DESK website.
Ride to End Hunger 2008
Remember: The Ride to End Hunger, DESK’s motorcycle ride for charity, is coming again in September. Even if biking isn’t your thing, you are cordially invited to join us afterward at Martin’s Riverside at 1:00 p.m. for a barbeque lunch, music, and raffle prizes.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Rain or Shine!
Preregistration Tickets available at Lodge #25 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (524 State Street, New Haven; 203-772-3557)
Single Rider: $25 registration includes barbeque lunch
Double Rider: $35
Non-Rider: $10 barbeque lunch at Martin’s Riverside
Elk members with preregistration will receive a $5 coupon towards an event T-shirt (valid through preregistration only)!
Registration with free coffee and donuts will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sports Haven. The 62-mile police-escorted ride through rural Connecticut will start at Sports Haven (600 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven) at 11:00 a.m., to end at Martin’s Riverside (3 Clifton Street, New Haven), where there will be a barbeque lunch, cash bar, raffle, and music by Mr. Music Man.
Current Needs
Volunteers
As always, we can use help from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, at our 311 Temple Street central kitchen and pantry in New Haven.
Kitchen and Pantry
Currently, we are in greatest need of the following
milk
frozen turkeys
garden produce
family-size sweet potatoes
adobo
Information
Food Donations
You may drop off food donations at 311 Temple Street between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Please call the kitchen (203-772-3400) before you come to make sure that DESK staff will be present! DESK cannot take food donations on Sundays!
Please remember that all of DESK’s offices and operations are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers will not be accepted on these days, nor will deliveries or food donations be received. Volunteer calls should only be made Sunday through Thursday. Thanks!
Volunteer Opportunities
Email Jeanne (JeanneMarieMay@aol.com), and she’ll find something for you to do anytime from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. Also, please note that DESK does not accept all community service and court appointed volunteers. Please email Jeanne to check for openings.
Removal from E-Newsletter List
To be removed from the E-Newsletter mailing list, please email webmaster@downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com.
Emergency Food Council
The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen is a member of the Emergency Food Council of Connecticut. Visit our website at www.emergencyfoodcouncil.com.
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