Hamburgers For Everyone

Today's lunch.

We served hamburgers, which proved to be a very popular lunch, at today's Wednesday Community Meal. We were non-stop busy from the moment we opened our doors at 11 a.m. and served 368 meals during our two hour service.

When I told one of our guests who was in line early what we would be serving he smiled and the man standing behind him responded with an enthusiastic "Yes!".

The Cascade Farms hamburger patties were donated to us by Lift Urban Portland and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral provided the buns, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and condiments.

The cathedral and its members are so generous and supportive of the weekly meal and fund extra necessary purchases. It's not just food they provide — they also provide the paper placemats, napkins, cups, foil, plastic wrap... and more....anything that we need to make the weekly free to everyone meal happen. Trinity also lets us use their commercial kitchen and serve in their large beautiful dining room.

My two full carts at Cash 'n' Carry on Tuesday, shopping for the additional ingredients and supplies that we needed for today's meal.

Alongside the hamburgers, we served Tim' Cascade chips and grapes. There was also soup, salad, dessert and drinks. Thanks to Trinity and Lift Urban Portland, it was a tasty and satisfying meal for our hungry friends.

Wonderful Watermelon

Slices of the super watermelon that we served today. Look at that color!

Guests of the Wednesday Community Meal today were treated to thick slices of the best watermelon I think I've ever tasted. The organic melons from Hermiston, Oregon, were donated to us and they were crisp, juicy and super sweet — a real treat for everyone!

During our two-hour service we had quite a few requests for "extra watermelon please" and we were happy to oblige since we had plenty and we weren't too busy with it being the first Wednesday of the month.

In addition to the watermelon, we served entrees of chicken, turkey, salmon, chili cheese baked potatoes and pizza and of course there was also soup, salad and dessert.

One of the most popular desserts we served today was pound cake that we topped with baked apples and whipped cream. The apples came from Oregon Food Bank and were picked up by our volunteer gleaners. Today, volunteers Zane and Jan cored and sliced them, leaving the skins on, and then Zane tossed them with a bit of sugar and cinnamon and baked them until they were soft and caramelized. They made the kitchen smell so good and made our guests very happy.

Volunteer Mary Ann with a tray of desserts, including pound cake topped with baked apples and whipped cream.

Baked apple closeup.

We served 265 meals today.