The Observer Newspapers | Reston Interfaith Starts Meal Catering Program

July 4, 2008

Reston Interfaith Starts Meal Catering Program

By Leslie Perales
Observer Staff Writer

Reston Interfaith recently launched a meal catering program at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter to help offset some of the organization's food costs. Susan Stolpe, volunteer manager for Reston Interfaith, said the new program gives area organizations, such as churches, the opportunity to give back to the community by preparing meals for shelter residents.

Stolpe said groups were already contributing food to Embry Rucker and the county's hypothermia center, which provided overnight housing for homeless residents during the winter months, and Reston Interfaith recognized that there was a community interest in catering meals. "We decided we would recruit volunteers and community members to cater to those at the shelter year-round," she said.

One such group they attracted was the Dulles Community Church. Kevin Mauyer said that when he and other members of the church, "feel like we've been blessed and we wanted to give back," Mauyer said. He said the group had not yet decided how to help the shelter, but after meeting with Emily Dahlkamp, community resource coordinator for Reston Interfaith, they realized that providing food would greatly benefit the shelter. "You can tell the real need was there," he said.

About 60 people from the Dulles Community Church signed up to participate in the church's "Service Saturday" last month, and they broke into teams of about a dozen people with each group preparing a meal for 10 people. The group also prepared 60 bag lunches for the shelter, and several volunteers delivered the food.

"It was awesome," Mauyer said. "It's just fun on our end, too." He said the experience helped them bond as a church community and they were able to meet new people while giving back.

Dahlkamp said groups that are interested in volunteering should contact her to set up an orientation, after which they will receive a list of guidelines that help them decide their menu. The shelter's kitchen can only accommodate six people, but groups can use other kitchens if they have more volunteers, Dahlkamp said. On-site volunteers must be at least 18 years old, but children younger than that can help shop or prepare meals off-site, she said.

Stolpe said volunteers can prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner and the amount of food needed depends on which meal they choose. The number of meals needed varies between 40 to 80 depending on the time of day, she said. Once a group has scheduled its volunteer time, it must submit a menu at least one week prior to the specified volunteer date.

Stolpe said she hopes that volunteer groups will continue to participate in the program on a monthly basis. "It's a hands-on opportunity to raise awareness about our community," she said. "Volunteers learn about their neighbors who are here at the shelter." The Dulles Community Church has decided to volunteer once a month with the catering program.

Mauyer said that by working with the shelter, he and his fellow volunteers really felt like they were able to help their community. "I think overall we really had a good experience," he said. He encouraged other groups and individuals to volunteer with the shelter or donate food to their food pantry. "It always feels good to help other people," he said. Contact Dahlkamp at 571-323-1383 or Emily.Dahlkamp@RestonInterfaith.org.