Ava

Ava with one of many loaves of bread that she gleaned from The Roman Candle Baking Co.

Ava may be just 14-years old but she is without a doubt one of the Wednesday Community Meal's most committed volunteers. She has been volunteering along with her older brother Zane for the past three years, working whenever they have a break from school.

When Ava comes in on Wednesday mornings, she always enthusiastically asks me "what can I do to help?" And, no matter what the job, she works hard and conscientiously. I will miss her help when she has to go back to school.

Today she surprised us all by bringing in loaves of beautiful artisan bread that she gleaned from the Roman Candle Baking Co.

The bread was gorgeous, high quality and a real treat for our hungry guests. The fact that Ava took it upon herself to ask for it and bring it in really impresses me.

Her kind heart and willingness to help makes me very happy.

We served 287 meals today.

Glad To Be Back

Cooking fresh from the garden produce.

It was so good to be back volunteering at the Wednesday Community Meal.

I missed the work, the community we serve and my fellow volunteers who have become dear friends.

After a quick catch up though we had to get to work because it was a busy busy day.

We had top notch produce thanks to volunteer Kate who has a large garden and is very generous. She brought in squash, beans, tomatoes and some of the best eggplant I've ever seen. We also had lettuce and chard from Spring Hill Organic Farm.

There was lots of chopping to do but we made a really good vegetable medley with tri-colored pasta and beef.

After the doors opened we served 220 meals in just the first hour of service and by the end of the two hour service we had served 342 meals.

And it's not even the last week of the month yet which is almost always the busiest. I'm anticipating that next week will be our busiest ever.

Pasta with roasted beef and vegetables.