April/May 2008

President's Report

I hope all of you had a good winter and for those of you not into winter sports, I have it form great authority there will be no more snow storms at least in our part of Ontario.

You will note the name change of the kitchen as this is to emphase the fact that we are not part of the St. Vincent de Paul organization. We have St. Vincent Pallotti as our Patron Saint who during his lifetime, 1795-1850, among all his accomplishments, gave of himself in the service of the poor, assisting in shelters for the homeless, feeding and clothing the needy and we, Durham Outlook for the Needy and all of you (800 plus volunteers) are attempting to continue his good work in our community.

There is a plaque on the kitchen wall with a painting of him, to which we will be adding a biography of his life, accomplishments and good deeds.

The buildings in our area are being re-faced and upgraded, even the Regent Theater and it is making our building look rather shabby. No fault of ours, it is just old, like some of us, so we, The Board, are looking at taking advantage of the city's "Central Business District Renaissance community Improvements Grant/Loan" wherein you can borrow up to $15 000.-- per street address (over $45 000.-- in our case with three street addresses), have it interest free for up to two years, then only pay back 75% of the total amount. so come July or so, god willing, you will see a new improved look to the building.

I wish all of you a pleasant and happy summer.

FRANK LOWE

Volunteers Corner!

The Board wishes to thank all supervisors and coordinators who responded to a recent questionnaire. The objective of this questionnaire was threefold: first to give all supervisors and coordinators an opportunity to update the board on issues of importance to them and their teams; second, to assist the board in making operational and process related decisions on a broader perspective; and lastly, to determine the overall satisfaction of volunteers as, represented by team coordinators and supervisors. fifty (50%) percent of those surveyed responded to a series of questions dealing with five (5) major topics; role of the supervisor and coordinator, kitchen operations, relationship with patrons, relationship with staff and volunteers and guiding principles and objectives of the kitchen.

On the right are a few highlights of what they told us.

A number of the equipment suggestions have been implemented as of the date of this newsletter and the board plans to review all suggestions at the upcoming supervisor/coordinator meetings scheduled for late April and May. Over the next few months we will implement a series of enhancements, based on the questionnaire results, and will keep you posted of our progress. For those supervisors or coordinators who have not yet responded to the questionnaire, please pick up a copy in the kitchen office at your earliest convenience, your input is very important to the board and will ensure that we continually work to improve the overall satisfaction of all our volunteers.

• that working in the kitchen is meeting their personal goals for volunteering (95% favourable)
• that they are overall satisfied with the operations of the kitchen (77% favourable) but have the following suggestions for improvement:
  

  • enhance the job description for the supervisor and coordinator to include "what if" scenarios and critical tasks that must be handled daily
  • publish these enhanced job descriptions to ensure that all supervisors and coordinators follow a "common" set of guidelines and procedures
  • education supervisors and coordinators on a mediation process when conflict arises between patrons and volunteers or between volunteers themselves
  • strengthen the clean up teams
  • establish and publish a set of procedures for food rotation in freezer/fridge
  • ensure that all teams have been updated on procedural changes and the rationale for these changes, prior to implementation, to avoid confusion
  • equipment requirements include, new pots and lids, new fruit baskets and soup bowls, sharp knives, door stoppers for the maintenance/furnace room, regular maintenance on sinks/plumbing, etc.

Volunteer Month

It's been 3 years since the organization celebrated its anniversary and at that time we recognized many faithful volunteers. Now the organization would like to continue to recognize those volunteers who now have faithfully served 5, 10, and 15 years. April 20 until May 17/08 has been designated by the organization as Volunteer Recognition Month. During this time, the Kitchen will be having some appreciation items to honour our valued volunteers.

Annual Membership Renewal

We are closely approaching that time of year when we must renew our annual membership. Annual membership is a requirement for all non-profit organizations in order to maintain their non-profit status under Canadian law. All paid-up members are eligible to vote at the annual board meeting, which ensures the on-going integrity of the organization. the membership fee is $1.00 per year and the board requests that all team coordinators and supervisors, as well as any volunteer wishing to be a member, pay this fee prior to May 31, 2008. Team coordinators should address and encourage annual membership with their teams, during April and May, and let them know that of the 800+ volunteers, only 120 are voting members. Our hope is to continually improve this ratio. membership cards will be sent to all paid-up members in June and July.

Let's all join and keep St. Vincent's strong!

Food for Thought

"Gratitude brings a smile and becomes a gift."
A reflection prepared by Rev. Mr. Anthony Stone.

It is during the times of extreme human suffering that we most often hear the question: "Where is God in this situation and why doesn't He intervene, does He even care anymore?" If the truth be known, in a moment of desperation or doubt, even the most faith-filled "believer" has been known to ask that same question.

As an associate chaplain at Lakeridge health Oshawa and Whitby, and especially in my palliative care ministry, I'm often amazed and in awe by those moments of serendipity when I sense the presence of God in the very ones that I believe are in most need of God's grace.

Allow me to share with you a piece which will illustrate this moment of serendipity. Mother Teresa told this story in an address at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994:

One evening we went out, and we picked up four people from the street. One of them was in the most terrible condition. I told the sisters, "You take care of the other three; I will take care for the one who looks the worst."

So I did for her all that my love could do. I put her in bed, and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my hand as she said two words only: "Thank you." Then she died!

I could not help but examine my conscience before her. What would I say if I were in her place? My answer was very simple. I would have tried to draw a little attention to myself. I would have said, "I am hungry, I am dying, I am in pain," or something. But she gave me much more; she gave me her grateful love. And she died with a smile on her face.

"Gratitude bring a smile and becomes a gift."

It is during the times of extreme human suffering that we most often hear the question: "Where is God in this situation and why doesn't He intervene, does He even care anymore?"

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'"(Matt. 25:34-36, NIV)