Food for Thought
The Newsletter of Women's & Children's Free Restaurant
November, 2011
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With Thanks:
| As our Thanksgiving Dinner guests waited to be seated, they were invited to write what they were thankful for on a paper leaf, which we then posted. Here are some of their thoughts:
"My job"
"I am thankful that I have a life with very special people that help people, my girlfriend & my dog."
"Momma"
"I am thankful for spending time with friends and family on Thanksgiving and for life in general."
"God, family, friends"
"I am thankful for my son Alexander"
"I'm grateful for my family because I know without them life would be hard and I wouldn't be the kid I am today."
"I am thankful for Jen!"
"I am thankful for kind hearted people like all of you."
"To be loved"
"I am thankful for my life"
"Family, Friends, Freedom, Jesus, God"
"Raymond, my kids, my God, my fellow humans"
"I am thankful for my Grandma & Grandpa."
"My grandson!!"
"I am thankful for having a home and a nice family."
"I am thankful for my mom. My life would be hard without her. I love Thanksgiving."
"Life is great!"
"Thank you Jesus for good people!"
"Good health"
"Peace"
"To be alive"
"I am thankful for kind hearted people like all of you!!"
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| Greetings! |  It's Thanksgiving weekend and I want to use this space to give thanks. Without the support of the Spokane community, thousands of women and children would be hungry and malnourished.
No doubt many feel discouraged this holiday season - is there really a lot to celebrate or be thankful for? Unemployment, foreclosures, financial problems and health struggles seem to have hit so many people hard. Even if these haven't happened personally to you, you probably know someone who is in one of those situations.
It is easy to feel let down over what's wrong the world. I'd like to share with you what's right in the world. We see it in action every day at WCFR. Generosity of time, talent and treasure.
Numerous businesses, churches and social and professional groups have provided donations to us. Whether it be a special offering, a "jeans day" or a holiday donation, every donation says to us that there is goodness in the world still.
Our year-end appeal is coming up. I hope you will give careful consideration to what you can donate. We need about $25,000 to finish our year still and set us up for next year.
In the meantime, thank you for your support. Whether that has been your time as a volunteer, a financial donation, an in-kind donation or a prayer or good thoughts - YOU are what is right in the world. Thank you.
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| Spreading Christmas Cheer |  Looking to add a little extra meaning to your holidays? We have a suggestion for you!
This year, we would like to give the ladies and children who dine with us a $10 grocery-store gift card. We are closed the last two weeks of December and this gift would help them make it through the end of the month.
Expenses in the winter are higher for everyone and when you live on a tight budget, there is no extra to cover those higher expenses. This simple gift can mean a lot to our diners.
Please, we ask for $10 denominations only, from any of the grocery stores - Wal Mart, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Safeway or Rosauers.
We need them at the Restaurant by Friday, November 9 for distribution the next week. Please note that we are not able to manage any other type of gift distribution to our diners. So if you have other types of giving that you would like to do for Christmas, there are many other charities who are better equipped to manage that.
If you would like to make this donation in honor of someone on your Christmas list, we can send your honoree a nice card telling them of your gift on their behalf.
If you have any questions, please call our Development Director, Jenifer Priest at 324-1995, ext. 305, or contact her by email at develop@wcfrspokane.org.
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| Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Feeds Over 800 |  WCFR's annual Thanksgiving Dinner took place on November 19. This year, we served at one location only - Rogers High School. School buses picked up guests at the Restaurant and at the House of Charity. For a number of folks, this dinner was the first time they ate with WCFR. Many came from the neighborhood and walked. There were a number of men who came alone - they appreciated being welcomed and definitely enjoyed the delicious dinner.
Many of those who attended dinner just don't have the resources to make their own Thanksgiving dinner. Some don't have kitchens, utensils or equipment with which to make a turkey and accompaniments. Others are all alone and don't want or care to make an entire dinner for just one. There are many people in our community who do not have friends or family here with which to share a dinner. For these people, WCFR's Community Thanksgiving Dinner is the only place where they can come to enjoy a good meal and experience some human connections.
It was an amazing evening! The true spirit of community was alive and well. Over 100 volunteers helped in some way both the week before and on the 19th. All were heroes, but we wanted to highlight a few super-heroes (including some of our staff):
Su Sawyer and Alyce Rubio served as event Co-Chairs. They've spent months on preparations - from figuring portion sizes to corralling supplies, to organizing transportation. They went about their tasks with professionalism and care and never lost sight of what this dinner was about.
Pawn 1 - Mark Lax and his daughter Meredith supported us every step of the way. Pawn 1 underwrote the entire dinner. This gift means that we can put our energy into preparing a very nice experience, instead of collecting food for the dinner.
Chef Karen maintained her normal cheerful outlook, all while looking after 150 turkeys, 40 pans of pumpkin dessert, pounds and pounds of mashed and sweet potatoes as well as a fabulous stuffing. And let's not forget the gravy - it was always hot and plentiful! She directed numerous volunteers the week before in prep tasks, as well as the day of.
Karen Orlando our Volunteer Coordinator worked with over 100 volunteers to make sure every job was covered. Lots of phone calls, email, and lists were part of Karen's days in preparation for dinner for 1000.
Terry Deno, our Inventory Manager did a Herculean job in picking up and dropping off supplies and food. From tubs of napkin-wrapped dining-ware, to water pitchers to bags of pumpkin dessert for give-away Terry more than earned his pay that week!
We had enough leftovers that we were able to provide other agencies with food this past week. We packaged up turkey, stuffing and potatoes in family-sized entrees for distribution at the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and Spokane AIDS Network. We provided Crosswalk with a complete dinner. And we provided Cup of Cool Water with turkey and rolls for sandwiches.
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Again, we are thankful for your support! I hope you can see how your donations make a difference from women and children, and sometimes men, who are alone and hungry. To donate on-line, follow this link.
Sincerely,
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Marlene Alford
Women's and Children's Free Restaurant
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