A Hearty Meal

Meatloaf and Baked Potato

Orange Chicken, Rice and Vegetables.

Guests at today's Wednesday Community Meal were treated to hearty entrees of meatloaf, roast beef and orange chicken and we received a very sweet compliment.

"You made me feel like I was eating at my grandma's house," said one man as he was leaving.

I'm so happy that he felt that way because it's exactly what we aim to do each week — Serve a pleasing meal in warm and friendly environment. We want the community meal to feel homey and comfortable because that's what our guests, especially the homeless, need and deserve.

We made the meatloaf from scratch with Cascade Farms Beef donated by SP Provisions and the roast beef and orange chicken were donated by Good Samaritan Hospital. The generosity of these and other local businesses allows us to feed the hundreds who come to our door each week and still keep our costs down.

We served 385 meals today.

A Picnic In The Rain

The line for chili dogs.

After weeks of beautiful weather here in Portland, Oregon of course today, one of the few times during the year that we have to move our Wednesday Community Meal outside, it was chilly and rainy.

An art exhibit was being set up in Kempton Hall where we usually serve the meal so we had no choice but to serve outside picnic style.

Staying positive and doing our best was really all we could do and in the end everything worked out and the guests were satisfied. It also helped that volunteers Cheryl and Dave were prepared and brought tents to set up over the tables.

We served 354 meals of chili dogs made with all beef hot dogs from Costco and homemade chili using pinto beans from The Oregon Food Bank.

We served all beef Costco hot dogs and then offered to jazz them up with toppings.

Practically everyone wanted all the fixings - homemade chili, shredded cheese and chives.

We also served a side of chips, salads made with greens from The Oregon Food Bank and asparagus and red pepper donated by Food Front Cooperative Grocery in Hillsdale.

Beautiful asparagus donated from Food Front Cooperative Grocery in Hillsdale.

Volunteer Kate blanched the asparagus spears and then sliced and tossed them with a vinaigrette. They were very tasty and a nice addition. Also in the salads were shredded cheese, sunflower seeds and olives.

Dave giving Leah more salads to serve. To help keep the food line for chili dogs moving as efficiently as possible, Leah graciously offered to go table to table serving salads.

There was also hot soup, cookies and drinks. With the cool weather, hot coffee was in especially high demand and kept volunteer Steve constantly busy.

Steve serving coffee.

I am so thankful for our team of volunteers. They work hard and have big hearts.