The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com
Remember to check out DESK’s calendar of upcoming events for a variety of fun and exciting fundraisers and activities!
Thanks and Recognition
Ride to Hunger 2008
The Ride to Hunger 2008 got a rainy start as folks gathered at Sports Haven on Sunday September 14, 2008. Fortunately, the rain soon gave way to a clear day, paving the way for a fun-filled day for both participants and volunteers. This year’s ride was sponsored by the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge #25, People’s United Bank, and Martin’s Riverside. Connecticut state troopers led the riders on the ride’s 62-mile route through rural Connecticut. At the head of the pack was DESK Executive Director Diana Richter with Dominic Caciopoli, both of whom are members of Elks Lodge #25. The ride ended at Martin’s Riverside, where bright sun and warm weather accompanied barbecued ribs, live music, and exciting raffles. All proceeds from the event went to benefit DESK.
All in all, this year’s Ride To End Hunger was a great success thanks to the enthusiasm of the many supporters who turned out. Be sure to check out photos of the event on Picasa!
A number of individuals and organizations made donations to the Ride to End Hunger, including:
Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge #25, New Haven—This is the first year The Elks have helped DESK by sponsoring the Ride To End Hunger, and they were great partners. DESK would like to say a big thanks to Lodge members Chuck and Pauline Cheslock, Tammy and Matthew George, Bonnie Mullin, Ron Newman, and Jeanne May for their early morning help and support throughout the day.
People’s United Bank—People’s United Bank was this year’s corporate sponsor for the Ride To End Hunger. DESK would especially like to thank the Century Tower 1 Peoples United Bank staff.
Marty of Martin’s Riverside, New Haven—Marty made his entire restaurant available for DESK’s use, and he generously provided a barbecue lunch buffet for ride participants. The food rocked, and the view of the river was great!
Chuck Cheslock—Chuck provided a security truck and generator for the event, and he rode behind the bikes for the entire route with banners for DESK and the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks.
DESK Board Members—Members of DESK’s Board of Directors spread the word about the event to riders and supporters. Blanche Baldwin, Cindy McCarroll, Elizabeth Duryea, Bill Hyde, Jr., Liz Cox, Alex Wellek, and Scott McLean also helped the day of the event.
DESK Board Member Liz Cox—Liz Cox, along with her students from Common Ground School (New Haven), helped with the free coffee and donuts during event registration.
DESK President Cindy McCarroll, DESK Secretary Elizabeth Duryea, and Elks Members Pauline Cheslock and Tammy George deserve a special word of thanks for working the bike lanes before the event.
South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority donated over 200 bottles of water for the event, thanks to Joann.
Chabaso Bakery donated rolls for the barbecue lunch. DESK would like to thank Jill Powers, who helps and supports DESK at most of our fund raisers.
Dunkin’ Donuts (889 State Street) provided coffee and donuts for the riders during registration.
DJ Anjel played great music all day.
Thank you, Sports Haven and Paul Derose, for three years of help with the Ride To End Hunger.
Michelle Reynard, DESK supporter and professional photographer, shot photos this year from the actual ride. See them at http://bokeh.instaproofs.com/collection.php?event=70002.
Connecticut State Police Escort—Thank you so much, especially Rick and Brian.
New Haven Fire Department, Squad #1—Squad #1 is DESK’s #1 neighborhood fire station!
John McCarroll and Jim Lovelace helped stage bikes for the start and end of the ride.
Thank you, pretty raffle girl Justine McCarroll.
MIR and MJ, DESK friends, helped with registration and photos.
Finally, DESK staff members Jeanne, Daniel, and Henry helped to make this event a success. Thank you for all you do each day for DESK!
Back-To-School Backpacks
DESK would like to thank Eileen Tinker for putting together back-to-school backpacks for DESK’s school-age guests. She filled each backpack with such essentials as pencils, pens, paper, and notebooks. Eileen volunteers every month with the Elks Lodge #25, and she is a member of the Emblem Club.
Summer Help
Many thanks are due for all those who volunteered over the summer months—you truly left DESK a better place. In no particular order: Emmet, Ricky, Zoe, Leah, Laci, Dave, Melissa, Michelle, Brian, Mckale, the Elks Lodge #25, Henry, Foote School Graduates, Juan, George Carter, Walter, Branford Bible Group, Annie, Tricia and Christ Church of Bethany, YWAM, Common Ground School, Temple B’Nai Jacob, Shalom United Church (liaison person Michelle Reynard) and countless others. Thank you!
Passing of a Friend
This September, DESK lost one of its elder volunteer coordinators, Dottie Croog, who passed away after a long battle with cancer. She coordinated DESK volunteers for Temple Beth Sholom for many years, and she was recently honored at Soup Night 2008 for her efforts. Her fortitude and commitment will be missed!
New Board Member
DESK would like to congratulate Pauline Cheslock, who was elected to the Board of Directors in September. Pauline helped coordinate Ride To End Hunger 2008 as part of a collaborative committee between DESK and the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge #25. In addition to her “go-get-’em” attitude, Pauline brings experience from years of serving in volunteer organizations.
Upcoming Events
Queens and Screams—A Royal Halloween Party
Please join DESK on Saturday, October 18, at Elks Lodge #25 (524 State Street) for a special halloween fundraiser, hosted by the Imperial Sovereign Court of all of Connecticut. It’s for the Reigning Beneficiaries:
• The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
• The Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective
• The Flock Theater
• The PediPal Program of the CT VNA Partners
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the show starts at 9:00. A $20 donation will be collected.
Costumes encouraged!
Cook and Care Walk-A-Thon
Each year, the Cook and Care Walk-A-Thon raises money to benefit four community service organizations: Community Soup Kitchen, Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers, FISH of Greater New Haven.
This year, the event—which includes food, fun, and entertainment—will be held on October 19, 2008. Registration will open at 1:00 p.m., and the three-mile walk will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Edgerton Park.
You can learn more about the event on the Cook and Care website, and if you are interested in sponsoring and/or participating, please call (203) 230-8994 or (203) 624-4594.
First Annual Comedy Night
Saturday, November 15, will see DESK’s first annual Comedy Night, sponsored by the New Haven County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section.
The venue for the event will be Elks Lodge #25 (524 State St), and doors will open 7:00 p.m., with the show starting at 8:00. Details will be forthcoming.
Be sure not to miss this new event!
Zombiefest II
Zombiefest is coming back to New Haven, and once again, DESK will be the beneficiary of the event’s food drive. Walk with the living dead and support DESK! Details will be forthcoming. For more information, visit www.ctzombiefest.com.
Current Needs
Funding Critical!—A Note from Executive Director Diana Richter, Ph.D.
DESK needs your help! While DESK has several hundred dedicated volunteers who consistently furnish invaluable support, our organization requires funding to operate. Currently, DESK is running a deficit budget. In September 2008, it was reported that DESK may only have 2 more months of funding to operate before closing!
In November, DESK will be soliciting financial support in its annual letter appeal. Please give as you can, but give—the need for DESK’s services continues to increase, but funding has fallen off.
Donations may be sent to:
The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
Post Office Box 1478
New Haven, Connecticut 06520
Remember: DESK is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
Volunteers
As always, DESK can use help from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, at 311 Temple Street. For more information, contact Jeannemariemay@aol.com.
Friday and Sunday Meals
DESK’s Sunday meals will resume at the Joseph A. Silfka center on October 5, 2008. Contact Liz for volunteer opportunities.
The Yale Hunger Heroes will also be starting to serve meals on Fridays by October 3. Any interested Yalies should contact Josh Purtle or Efan Wu for volunteer opportunities.
Kitchen and Pantry
Currently, DESK is most in need of the following cooking supplies:
Milk
Frozen turkeys
Garden produce
Family-size sweet potatoes
Adobo
Canned vegetables
Canned fruit
Canned soup
Peanut butter
Jelly
Cereal
Sugar
Mayonnaise
Oil
Vinegar
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.
E-Newsletter Subscriptions
Sign up today for this great way to get DESK news and events every month, or sign up friends and family. It’s easy: just go to http://www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com/view.php5?page=newsletter.
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