Stone Soup Kitchen

Sarah and I (Mel) switched places last night, and Sarah stayed upstairs in the office and I covered dinner with our Patty, my friend Lauren, and the amazing volunteer group.

Last night’s #SSK broke a record of new faces!

51 guests, with 11 of them being new faces!!

Thanks to our volunteers, the Olson family, we had plenty of food to share. They catered a kabob feast for our friends. Beef, Chicken, Pork kabobs, with glorious Greek style sides. I can always tell how much the food is enjoyed, by how many of our guests ask for food to-go, while they’re still eating their first plate. We had just enough food last night, down to the kabob. A couple families showed up at the end of service and we were so pleased to be able to still feed them.

Our Joi stopped at Jewel to bring us bread and butter that is donated to us each week. Probably 30 of our guests asked me where Joi was for dinner service because she couldn’t stay.

Our wonderful Loretta had the idea to set up a traveling children’s library. We have so many children attend dinner service. One table overflowing with little humans, loved reading and coloring all evening. This table in particular is where 3 different households who not only MET at SSK, each attend dinner service EVERY Saturday, and they always sit, converse and laugh. These moments, for me, are some of the most beautiful outcomes of SSK.

Togetherness. Companionship.

Someone feeling like others look forward to seeing them each week.

Cuz’ we suuuuure do.

Last night an infrequent guest asked me, “How many Saturdays can I come each month?”

EVERY. WE INSIST.

“And can I bring my grandchildren? My daughter-in-law is struggling.”

YES. BRING THEM ALL.

Come to our table.

Next week, Cricket Wireless will join us for dinner service again. They were able to sign up 18 friends with new phones last night. For most friends living on government aid, the cell phone bill is often a luxury which cannot be afforded. Cricket is offering contracts with minimal or no monthly payment to individuals receiving government aid currently.

Thank you to all. My life is continuously impacted by seemingly small moments, and it’s always at Almost Home.

With Gratitude,

Mel

Photo: Our wonderful volunteer group, the Olson Family.

Ps. Their little guy was probably one of the greatest helpers ever! He jumped in all the crazy and handled it like a pro.

#StoneSoupKitchen #AlmostHomeChicago #becauseeveryoneneedshelpsometimes