Van Drivers & Helpers - Food Donations

Throughout Mercer Island, south Seattle and south Bellevue, St. Monica’s Friends of the Needy van and our drivers are known and respected as a devoted outreach ministry doing Jesus’ work in the larger community. Every morning, volunteers take the FON van on its route, pick up donations from generous stores, and distribute food to shelters and food banks. (Commitment – about once a month, weekday or weekend, about 2.5 hours.)

Cooks & Helpers

Our team of cooks and helpers feed the occupants of six shelters in Seattle and Bellevue every Tuesday. The cooks produce a hot casserole for 300+ people, as well as a mountain of green salad, hot buttered bread, and often fruit salad, dessert and other extras. Volunteers meet at St. Monica’s kitchen on Tuesdays at 10:30AM to cook a four-course hot dinner for later delivery. One of the guests at a men’s shelter said that, ”Tuesday night is like Christmas Eve to us because it is the only hot meal we get all week.” (Commitment - come for an hour or the afternoon, every Tuesday or as often as you like. Come experience the joyful camaraderie in the kitchen as we cook.)

Dishwashers

Every week, in the process of making the Tuesday night meal, dirty dishes are generated which need to be cleaned. Humble volunteers take on this necessary task. (Commitment - Tuesdays 12PM-2PM, once a month.)

Van Drivers & Helpers - Meal Delivery

On Tuesday nights, van drivers deliver a prepared hot meal to 6 shelters (3 men's and 3 women's). If you would like to take a ride in the van, we welcome your visit. You will be amazed at the wonderful people you meet who supervise these shelters. Volunteers use the FON van to transport the meal to its six destinations, beginning around 3:00PM. (Commitment – rotating schedule, approximately once a month for 2-3 hours.)

Donors - Food

Faithful donors, both individual parishioners and commercial organizations such as Metropolitan Market, have made the work of FON possible. Donations of meat, vegetables, salad supplies, cooking oil, and desserts go towards making great meals for those who are hungry. Stores can arrange for donations to be picked up by our volunteers. Individuals can contribute through a monthly request list (to meet a regular needs) OR be an on-request donor.

Donors - Financial

Donations in support of feeding the hungry are always gladly accepted. Regular financial expenses of this ministry include gas and insurance for the van. To give a financial gift online, please visit St. Monica's Giving Website and select the option "094-Friends of the Needy". A special thank you to thank QFC for their annual donation of gift cards! If FON is short of anything, they can go down to the local QFC and pick up what's needed. This goes a long way to relieve anxiety about what type of meal to prepare.