Homeless Meal Ministry

Every Tuesday, St. Simon parishioners prepare and serve lunch to about 80 clients of the Opportunity Center in Palo Alto, a part of the LifeMoves network which works to solve homelessness. The Opportunity Center is a drop in facility for local unhoused, open from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Guests are able to shower, wash clothes, eat, use computers, and rest.

 

Our Meal Ministry prepares the lunch meal, delivers it to the center, helps to serve the food, and helps with clean up.  We generate a monthly schedule for teams to provide the meal each Tuesday.  Parishioners can consider forming a small team of 2-3 people who can join in preparing and serving once or twice a month, or you are welcome to join our “Honey Helpers” team and sign up monthly to prepare a dish, shop, or serve at the center. Email: outreach@stsimon.org

 

How it works: Our ministry coordinator generates the monthly schedule for parishioners to choose a Tuesday to serve.  We usually use the Parish Center kitchen for food preparation. A meal consists of an entrée, a salad, fruit and bottled water. Healthy snacks like bars or trail mix can be included. We have provided a wide variety of meals including pastas, roasted or baked meats and chicken, hamburgers, soups and chili, pizza and sandwiches. Those who do not cook are welcome to help with serving and clean up. We arrive by 12:00pm with food ready to begin serving no later than 12:30pm. We are usually finished between 1:30-2:00pm.

 

The location of the Opportunity Center is:
33 Encina Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 853-8672

The center also has a monthly schedule of activities for the clients of the Opportunity Center.  These activities include special holiday events and and other activities like movie afternoons.  Parishioners are encouraged to get connected with the Center and these activities as well as the meal ministry. They also provides a clothing closet and emergency supplies.  The center is always in need of volunteer help and we encourage parishioners to find ways to get involved with the Opportunity Center outside of our meal ministry.

For more information please contact Moira Delumpa or Joan Mibach ph: 650 880 1416 or email: outreach@stsimon.org

 

For more information about the Life Moves Opportunity Center, Palo Alto please visit their website: www.lifemoves.org/directory/opportunity-services-center/