Portlight Shelter Meal Updates from the July 2024 Coordinators’ Meeting:

A discussion regarding the Portlight shelter meals was had at the last coordinator’s meeting. During covid meals were delivered to the Chalet Motel. Guests had no choice but to take their meals to their rooms. Prior to Covid, guests stayed in churches. They slept on cots with others in whatever rooms were available like meeting rooms or classrooms. They had no place to call their own and would gather for evening meals. Once the shelter was built, it was anticipated that guests would gather again for dinner as they had in the churches. But that is not what the staff sees at the shelter. Often only a few guests come at serving time and sometimes no one comes. This occurs for many reasons.

· Many work second and third shifts.

· Families with kids have activities outside the shelter.

· This is a difficult time in these people’s lives and they are simply uncomfortable dealing with so many new people including all the staff and volunteers

This has been hard for many volunteers who hoped to interact with the guests, but there is an upside: Units in the Portlight Shelter were designed to be like homes and allow for personal and family space and quarantine should it be needed. They now have a place that is their temporary home, a place for their family to have a meal together or to find the solace they need. Some are getting the rest they need to work those 2nd and 3rd shifts to get their lives back on track.

As volunteers, we are feeding the hungry as we are called to do. We should be aware that when we bring a very much appreciated meal that will be eaten for later dinners, lunches, and weekend meals, we are guests in their house.

Current options for meals are:

1. You may still serve a meal as in the past, visiting with guests and staff and enjoying your dinner. The staff will clean up and put away food. This also allows the staff better control of food safety.

2. You may bring a meal, set it up for serving and leave.

3. You may simply drop off a prepared meal, ready to eat.

4. Meals do not need to be homemade. A purchased meal that is dropped off/delivered is considered a treat.

Your generosity in helping with this mission is greatly appreciated!