Food for Thought
The Newsletter of Women & Children's Free Restaurant
October, 2011
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| An Update on Tony | |
If you remember the story of Tony that we told in our newsletter several months ago, we share this update.
Tony wrote to us, "I just want to tell about how good life has been lately." He went on to say that he was busy in his studies and church and that he is enjoying the unique and wonderful culture and environment of Seattle and the University of Washington. He closed his email with, "I am glad to be a UW student. I am glad to have a cell phone, a lap-top, printer, health insurance and free bus services...I am glad for the many opportunities..."
If you don't recall his story, Tony has been associated with the Restaurant for more than 10 years. He came as a child with his mother and sister. Later, he came as a volunteer to wash dishes. While in high school, Tony lived on his own and faithfully washed dishes at the Restaurant for two years. He had to take the bus to get here - even transferring through downtown.
WCFR is proud to be part of the "village" that helped Tony through some difficult times. He is a determined young man and we know he will do well in his studies and in life! |
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| Greetings! | 
A public health nurse with the Spokane Regional Health District recently noted, "a lot of support services are being pulled from very young children and women...compared to what things looked like 20 years ago, there are really no safety nets."
One safety net that women and children in Spokane can still count on is Women & Children's Free Restaurant. With your support, we'll be here as long as there is hunger in our community.
Recently, one of our volunteers saw a woman on the street corner with a sign that said "just need food." The volunteer happened to have information about WCFR with her and she gave it to the woman with the sign. When she saw the card, the woman brightened and said, "I used to go there with my mother. I didn't know you were still here."
Yes, we are still here, providing meal service three times a week at the Restaurant. We also prepare community partner meals for organizations like Hope House and the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Food is such a primary need, that until it can be met, other needs cannot be addressed. How can you look for housing or work when your child doesn't have any food?
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| Thanksgiving Bounty |  You might not be thinking about Thanksgiving dinner yet, but WCFR has been making plans for a couple of months now for our annual Thanksgiving dinner.
This year we will hold the dinner at Rogers High School on November 19 from 4 - 7 PM. Everyone is welcome!
Thank you to Pawn 1 for underwriting the cost of this dinner. Their generous donation makes it possible to truly create a Thanksgiving feast. Many of our Thanksgiving guests cannot make their own dinner - they lack not only the income to buy all the traditional foods, but they might not have a stove or oven in which to cook the turkey, or even all of the necessary dishes to make several foods at once.
A few volunteers are still needed for the event. A take-down crew is needed at Rogers High School from 7 - 8:30 PM and kitchen assistance, including dishwashers are needed throughout the day on the 19th. If you would like to help, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Karen Orlando at volunteer@wcfrspokane.org. While she prefers to receive an email, if you have questions, you can also call her at 324-1995, ext. 300.
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| Wrapping up A Little Night Music | Our fundraiser, A Little Night Music was a success! Thanks to everyone who attended, donated or otherwise supported the event.
One of the special highlights of the evening was the presentation of an amazing drawing by Spokane Artist James LaVigne. James is a very talented artist whose mediums include etching, graphite, pen & ink, and oil. He has drawn many of Spokane's historical buildings, including, now, the church building where WCFR is located.
While the building is now owned by Christ Our Hope Bible Church, the relationship between WCFR and St. Paul's United Methodist Church was memorialized in a drawing by James. James gifted this incredible art to the Restaurant, and it now proudly hangs in the Hazon Parlour.
We are grateful for his gift and also want to say thank you to Charlie Hinton of William Grant Gallery and Framing for donating the framing of the piece. If you would like a print of the piece, please contact James directly. You can find his contact information and learn more about him at his website.
And thank you again to Pawn 1 for serving as our matching sponsor of A Little Night Music. Mark Lax generously matched our Raise the Paddle donations, up to $7500! This inspired our donors to give more than two times this much!
All around, it was an amazing night!
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Please remember that your donations are what supports our work! As we approach the cold winter months, please help us provide a warm meal and a warm welcome to vulnerable women and children in our community. You can make a donation on-line by following this link.
Thank you!
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Marlene Alford
Women's and Children's Free Restaurant
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