St. Malachi’s Monday Meal Friendly

by Robert Harris

St Malachi serves meals to those in need between 8:30 PM and 3:00 PM. Hot coffee with a sandwich and usually 2 or 3 doughnuts. On cold days they have a small sitting area available to sit and eat the meal.

On Monday evenings at 6 PM, a large dinner is served consisting of meat, potatoes and vegetables. Selections from the four basic food groups are available with plenty of milk and juices. On Monday evenings, there are usually 50 to 100 people served. This dinner is served every week.

Turkey with all the trimmings was served on Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving meal Monday the 25th of November was a success. Turkey with dressing, green beans and corn served with rolls, grape juice orange, juice and cranberry juice with plenty for adults and children alike. For desert pumpkin pie, blackberry pie and sweet potato pie with whipped cream.

Also wrapping was provided for those wishing take home dinners. The Thanksgiving meal is a good example of the typical Monday night meal.

The people who serve the food are usually very friendly and cheerful. You see them patrolling between the long tables of people offering refills of hot coffee, milk and fruit juices.

At the end of the meal, volunteers are requested from people attending the meal. Seven or eight raised their hands to help clean the hall. Tables and chairs are put up, etc.

An announcement is made asking if anyone needs to see a Doctor or a Nurse. Medical care is provided by a group of Medical professionals every Monday night.

Overall, I would give the Monday night St. Malachi meal Three Golden Soup Ladles.

Copyright NEOCH and the Homeless Grapevine published March 1997-April 1997 Issue 20