Since opening on November 1, the Shelter is already operating at full capacity! We are off to a wonderful start in serving our guests. While volunteers have been incredibly responsive, we still have opportunities to serve this month. Please click the button below to let us know if you can help by staying the night, making dinner, or preparing sack lunches. Your service makes the difference!
In this month's newsletter, we are delighted to share the story of long-tenured volunteers--All Saint Catholic Church in Dunwoody!
Food coordinator Kathy Masters shares her recipe for preparing Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. A one pan casserole that makes a complete meal!
As always, thank you for volunteering and contributing your financial support to the Shelter. We can't do it without you! We hope you can join us in loving on our guests by financially supporting the good work happening on MLK Jr. Dr. The Shelter operates entirely on volunteer work and donated dollars. Your tax-deductible contribution today makes the difference between a hot meal and warm bed or a cold night with an empty stomach on the streets for our guests. Your donation today helps us purchase much needed coats and supplies as temperatures begin to cool. Please click on the buttons below to volunteer or contribute now. Setting up a recurring contribution right now is particularly helpful. Happy Thanksgiving! |
Why We Serve: Elayne Dolt and All Saints Catholic Church
At least 15 years ago I saw a request in the All Saints Catholic Churches bulletin for volunteers at the men’s shelter. There was a variety of ways to help (cook, serve, spend the night, etc) but the serving interested me the most. I had young school aged children at the time and we weren’t encouraged to bring them along. I went with friends the first time and was so impressed with the genuine hospitality shown by the men (so polite and grateful for the meal and our efforts) that I was hooked.
Over the course of that first season I saw that other volunteers (from the community) brought their school aged children who played games and visited with the guests as they were waiting for dinner and I decided to start including my children when I served. Their k-8 school also cooked and served one night a season so they were able to show their classmates how meaningful this ministry was. My kids loved going and it became something we enjoyed doing together. By the time my kids were in high school they could go without me and run the night without any supervision. They asked to go anytime they had the opportunity.
The All Saints community has committed to serving twice as month for the 5 months the shelter is open. The last 2 seasons I’ve organized our volunteers and been the point person for all communications. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Yes, it can be stressful making sure we have enough volunteers and supplies but time after time our parishioners and their friends have stepped up and surpassed our wishes. It’s truly heart warming and amazing to see the same names year after year volunteering to cook a hot meal for someone they’ve never met. To spend the night with strangers to assure everyone gets a warm safe place to lay their head. It’s hard to put into words how it makes you feel but I know it feels pretty good as I have the same families come year after year to volunteer.
When people ask “why do you volunteer, isn’t it a lot”? I remind them that there’s 365 days in a year and were asked to help for 10 of those days. Seems like a pretty small request with a tremendous soul soothing reward. I’m willing to bet that if you start with one night you may find yourself volunteering for extra shifts just because they need you and you in turn need them too.
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Kathy's Corner
Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
Recipe is for one large Steamer Pan (1 pan typically serves 20 guests, so 1.5 to 2 for Shrine and 3-4 for Central)
6 lbs ground beef - brown in the oven at 400 deg for about 15 minutes and drain
3 X 32 oz bags frozen hashbrowns that have been thawed
6 cans (60oz) cream of Mushroom soup
3 cups milk
6 cups shredded mexican or cheddar cheese
Minced onion and other seasons as you wish
- Mix everything except 1/2 the cheese in a steamer pan.
- Bake at 360 deg for 45 minutes
- Top with remaining cheese to melt and brown - 5-10 minutes
Canned peas and carrots can be added to give it some color. Canned mixed vegetables and/or corn would also be a nice option. Enjoy!
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