E-Newsletter September 2006
 
The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
http://www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com
 
September Highlights
United Way Day of Caring
Three groups helped D.E.S.K. in two big projects at DESK’s central kitchen, dinning hall, and pantry (311 Temple St).
 
Citizens Bank and Yale Recycling Tag Sale
A group from Citizens Bank (New Haven) [http://www.citizensbank.com], headed by Tony Rossley, helped D.E.S.K. run a two day “Tag Sale” with items donated from Yale Recycling. Citizens Bank also plans to return to 311 Temple St to paint the dinning hall floors and hallway.
 
Mason, Inc.
Wonderful ladies from Mason, Inc. (Madison, CT), headed by Giulia Gouge, came and painted the pantry entryway and hallway. Now, these areas look great! Thanks!
 
STARS
“Sisters Taking Action through Relief and Service” (STARS) is an undergraduate organization at Yale University whose members are currently applying to establish a chapter of the Sigma Psi Zeta sorority. The women from STARS came to D.E.S.K. on Sunday, September 16, 2006 and helped with all D.E.S.K.’s various tasks. The women explained, “Thanks to the amazing staff [at D.E.S.K.], we had tons of fun while [helping]!” Members of STARS have also conducted numerous other community service efforts around the Yale campus.
 
The Ride to End Hunger
About the Ride
The first annual “Ride to End Hunger,” a motorcycle ride whose proceeds directly support D.E.S.K., was met with a wonderful, bright, and sunny day. Pictures from the Ride to End Hunger will soon be available on the Ride to End Hunger website [http://www.ridetoendhunger.com/] and the D.E.S.K. “Event Pictures” webpage [http://www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com/pictures.html]. Check back soon!
 
Extensive (but not Exhaustive) Thanks and Recognition
A number of individuals and organizations made donations to the Ride to End Hunger, including:
 
    1. Jason Hackley and the Connecticut Shoreline Riders [http://www.ctshorelineriders.com] sponsored the event and helped D.E.S.K.’s Executive Director with all of the organizational details. Without the efforts of the CT Shoreline Riders, the Ride to End Hunger would not have been successful!
    2.  
    3. Mike Edwards and his security team donated much time and energy to organize the motorcycles at the start and finish.
    4.  
    5. New Haven Fire Department, Squad 1 assisted with the color guard.
    6.  
    7. Connecticut State Troopers provided excellent escort services for the ride.
    8.  
    9. Joe and Laurie Dunleavy of Stillwater American Bistro (New Haven) [http://www.stillwateramericanbistro.com] donated more than 200 bottled waters for the event.
    10.  
    11. Subway (926 Chapel St) [http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/index.aspx] donated 200 sandwiches for the participants.
    12.  
    13. South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority [http://www.rwater.com] donated 200 bottles of water.
    14.  
    15. Taylor Rental (Boston Post Rd, Orange) [http://www.taylor-rentals.com] helped with tents and generator.
    16.  
    17. Dunkin’ Donuts (889 State Street) [https://www.dunkindonuts.com] provided coffee and donuts for the riders.
    18.  
    19. Starbucks (1068 Chapel St) [http://www.starbucks.com] provided coffee at registration.
    20.  
    21. Marty, DJ from Marty Tyme, donated his entire day to D.E.S.K. Thanks for all your help and support!
    22.  
    23. Woodshed, the band [http://www.woodshedtheband.com], entertained at the event.
    24.  
    25. Scott McLean, D.E.S.K. board member, and students from Quinnipiac University helped set up.
    26.  
    27. Alpha Phi Omega, headed by Charles Bjernestad, stayed all day to help from start to finish.
    28.  
    29. Liz Cox, D.E.S.K. Board member, and her students from Common Ground School (New Haven) helped with the coffee and donuts during registration.
    30.  
    31. Sports Haven and Paul Derose allowed D.E.S.K. to use the store’s parking lot for the ride’s start and finish.
    32.  
    33. Jet Cleaners [http://www.jet-cleaners.com], celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, helped D.E.S.K. advertise the Ride To End Hunger for the entire month of August.
 
A Big Thanks to Some D.E.S.K. Associates
A number of D.E.S.K.’s regular participants and close affiliates are also deserving of special recognition:
 
    1. Board Members: Julia, Bill, Erin, Blanche, Liz, Scott, and Kas
    2.  
    3. Staff: Diana M. Richter, Executive Director; Jeanne May, Director of Operations; Charles Kaiser, Assistant Operations; and Alex Yuknat, Evening Coordinator
    4.  
    5. Volunteer Guests: James and John
    6.  
    7. Friends: Miriam Hauseler and MJ Bradley
 
Special Thanks & Recognition
Jessica Tubis
D.E.S.K. would like to extend a big “Thank You!” to Jessica Tubis, who, on her birthday, requested spices and food cards from Shaws for D.E.S.K. Jessica and her mother have been regular volunteers and servers with D.E.S.K., but this recent act of generosity, in particular, demonstrated great spirit and character. Thank you, Jessica!
 
Current Needs
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Do you belong to a group, church, temple, or school that would like to help serve the needy on Thanksgiving? Would your family like to make this Thanksgiving truly a time to give thanks? If so, consider donating the following items to D.E.S.K. between October 16th and November 16th:
 
For 600 Meals
  1. •Bags of seasoned stuffing
  2. •Cans of cranberry sauce
  3. •Turkey gravy in cans or packets
  4. •Boxes of instant mashed potatoes
  5. •One-pound bags of rice
    1.  
For 300 “Food Baskets”
  1. •Family-size garlic salt
  2. •Family-size sage
  3. •Family-size adobo
  4. •Flour
  5. •Sugar
  6. •Salt
  7. •Butter (D.E.S.K. needs a total of about 30 pounds)
 
Donations may be brought to 311 Temple Street, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. To arrange for D.E.S.K. to pick up very large donations, email Jeanne.
 
D.E.S.K. also accepts gift cards to Shaws or Stop & Shop, which will be used to purchase necessary items for the Thanksgiving meal.
 
Volunteer Groups Needed!
D.E.S.K. is in need of a group of at least 10 to 15 people to make Turkey baskets at 311 Temple Street from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on November 20th. Three hundred baskets will be prepared for pickup by guests the following day. D.E.S.K. would also appreciate the help of about five people the next day to distribute the food. Contact Jeanne (JeanneMarieMay@aol.com) to sign up!
 
For more information, email Jeanne at JeanneMarieMay@aol.com, including “Thanksgiving Meal” in the message subject.
 
Information
Food Donations
Drop off donations at 311 Temple Street between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, or call the kitchen (203-772-3400) or email Jeanne.
 
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact 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. Remember: D.E.S.K. accepts all community service volunteers, and youth groups are also welcome!
 
Removal from E-Newsletter List
To be removed from the E-Newsletter mailing list, reply to this email (subject: REMOVE).
 
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