For over thirty-five years, St. Monica Friends of the Needy (FON) has been feeding the homeless. FON began in the early 1980s by delivering a hot meal every Tuesday to St. Martin de Porres Shelter in Seattle. As the number of homeless has risen in the Seattle area, FON has worked to keep pace. As this ministry continues to grow and evolve, its daily work maintains a focus on FON's founding objective, "To feed those in need!" FON is open to all (non-denominational). Do you have a calling from God to join us?
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 at three grocery 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 450+ 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. (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, one or two days 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 at approximately 3:30PM. (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, 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. 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.
If you have question about Friends of the Needy, please contact Bob Kessler (FON Coordinator), Karen Zimmer (Head Cook), and Frank Mills (FON Driver Scheduler) by filling out the contact form below. (Note: We no longer provide direct contact information for parish group leaders, in an effort to minimize the risk of our parishioners being targeted in fraud/scam attacks.)
