Tent City 4 Meal Provider FAQ
St. Jude Catholic Church – Redmond, Washington
2/10/07 - 5/12/07
When does Tent City 4 need meals?
Meals are tracked with an online calendar. Click on this link to check available dates. The colored squares indicate that a meal is scheduled. http://prem.calendars.net/tcmeals. Email us your preferred date(s). It would be a great help to let us know what your group is planning to serve so others can see. Variety is a bonus.
Where is Tent City 4 (TC4) currently located?
Tent City will be located at St. Jude Catholic Church, 10526 166th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052, from Feb. 10th until May 12th, 2007. Click on the Google Map link below: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=10526+166th+Ave+NE,+Redmond,+WA.&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=15&iwloc=addr
What is involved in serving a meal to TC4 residents?
A hot dinner is the meal we try to provide. It is helpful for it to be served at 6:00 PM. There may be some exceptions and we will let you know as the date moves closer. Individuals should plan to arrive at the church at least a half hour early to begin set-up. On Thursdays, there is an all-camp meeting at 7 pm, so please make a special effort to have the meal ready no later than 6:00 PM.
A group of 5-8 seems to work best. The group is responsible for providing a balanced meal: protein, starch, vegetable, drinks (milk and juice), and fruit or dessert. Your group is also responsible in providing paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic cutlery.
Please remember that some of the TC4 residents suffer from dental and gum difficulties. Nuts and raw vegetables can be difficult foods. Cooked vegetables are easier for many residents to consume. Lettuce only for salads is great. The meals don’t need to be fancy: aim for a balanced meal that is tasty, with plentiful servings.
You are encouraged to join the residents for dinner. It makes for a more welcoming and inclusive meal. It’s more about partnering with them, as they work to get back on their feet, rather than providing for them.
It is helpful to provide plastic wrap, foil, Ziploc bags, and/or clean plastic take-out boxes for residents to transport leftovers. Since the residents have only coolers for refrigeration, donations of bags of ice are always needed.
How many people are we preparing food for?
At present, plan for about 65 people, plus your own group. This is the only hot meal most residents will have all day, so please plan on generous serving sizes. The leftovers will be eaten soon, and it’s better to have a little bit extra rather than run out. Please be aware that not all residents eat at the same time. You can email a few days before your scheduled meal to get an accurate count of the number of residents currently at camp.
Can we use St. Jude’s kitchen and dining facilities?
St. Jude’s is a busy place! Most meals will be served in the Parish Hall (below the church). All other meals will be served from the TC4 meal tent. Check with the online calendar for location of meal service. Please bring your meals hot and ready to serve. The kitchen can only be used to keep food warm when we are in the parish hall. A St. Jude’s Greeter will be available to show you where things are and assist as needed.
How much does it cost to serve a meal?
You should plan on approximately $150 to serve a dinner for 65 people. Of course, this depends on the menu. The more people in your serving group the less the impact on any one person. If there are significant leftovers from another night, we will let you know. For emergency use, the direct line into the camp is 206-618-3901.
What if I have a question that is not answered here?
Please contact Leslie Daniels at sandldaniels@comcast.net (425) 882-0726 or Suzie Ramey sramey@r2usa.com (425) 869-5970. We are thankful for your support and happy to help you in any way we can. Share the blessings!!