After three huge pots of Chili had simmered all afternoon & filling a very large bin with tossed salad we headed out to the parks to feed the people without homes there. We fed 55 people tonight, but again it felt like we fed many more than that. Somehow I overcooked today, ending up with the three pots instead of the two that were planned, but that was actually a Blessing. :) I came home with very little left over. The more people we feed the happier I am & today's meal was definitely comfort food. :) We had lots of crackers to add to the Chili & I had baked two batches of Brownies last night for the dessert today. :)
Faith, my Chopping Angel, thank you for all your help this afternoon !! :) There was a lot to chop today.
My Heart Daughter Cristina came to help dish out the food at Santa Rita Park & she brought along her daughter Kiersten, who just turned 7 years young. :) Cristina also brought along her best friend Mandy & her lil' son Garrett, who is 5. :) It was precious to have the little ones take turns handing out the water & to every chance they got run around in the park. :) Oh, to be a child again !! :) Thank you, my Cristina, Mandy, Kiersten & Garrett for helping out !! :) I hope you come back soon again. :)
Marilyn helped with the photos again & you can see them below this entry. :) You can also see the lil' Munchkins in the pictures being all intense about giving out the water to everyone.
Thank you Marilyn for helping serve at the parks & for helping unload, and clean up all the pots & spoons afterwards !! I treasure you & J.J., I treasure you also for your loving dedication to this & for always being there for me at the parks !! :)
Dave & Linda my gratitude for you both is big, as always !! :) Without your caring help I wouldn't be able to pull off these meals !! :)
Alvin, thank you for donating some of the crackers for this dinner !! :) That helped out a lot.
And a big thank you goes to Eleanor B. for your generous donation for the Homeless Christmas !! :) Marilyn scouted out a great bargain at "Factory To You" for colored T-shirts, to add to the gift bags & we are now with your help able to buy all 65 needed. :)
Good Night everyone, time to put up my tired legs. :) Sleep with the Angels everyone !! :)
Feeding the Homeless People in the City Parks of Tucson, Arizona.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Making Thanksgiving & Christmas for the Homeless
Calling on all my Angel Helpers, :)
Thanksgiving & Christmas are approaching quickly & it is time once more to reach out to you & ask for your help to make the holidays special for the Homeless in Tucson's City Parks again. I can't believe it has been a year already, time so is flying by these days. :)
I have a Wish List for both holidays & I am humbly asking for donations to pull this off once more. :) The Wish List is on my computer & since I don't know how to attach it to this blog, please email me at LKarinElliott@aol.com & I will forward a copy to you if you like. :)
My dream is to get enough money & items together so I can make 65 grocery paperbag gift bags again this year. The people so enjoyed them last year. :)
For Thanksgiving I will need 5 volunteers to roast & carve a turkey each on Saturday, November 23rd, which is the Saturday before Thanksgiving, & then to bring them over to my home in the early afternoon. Hilde (89 years young now), Faith, & I will then cook the rest needed for the great big special meal. :)
On Christmas Eve, if I get enough funds together, I would like to go to both parks with a whole bunch of pizzas again. Last year I had 17 altogether to share & they were gone very quickly. :)
Christmas dinner will be cooked & served on Saturday, December 28th, which is one of our regular Saturdays. I haven't decided on the meal yet, but I'm hoping that Hilde will make her famous meat loaf & gravy again. :) It will be another huge meal. :)
All you wonderful bakers out there, for Christmas it would be awesome to have lots of home baked cookies to add to the gift bags again. :) There are never too many. ;) The cookies I will need by Sunday, December 22nd, so I have enough time to sort them all into 65 baggies & then into the big bags. We also need cookies for the Thanksgiving meal & of course always throughout the year. :)
It also would be nice to have hand made Christmas cards by children of all ages to put into the gift bags this year again. This could be a project for schools to teach the kids to share & about all the Homeless we have here in our city. Teachers & parents with children, would you please help out with this. :)
On December 28th I will need two volunteers with pick-up trucks to transport the 65 gift bags to both parks & to help hand them out there. This will be from 4:30 PM until about 7:30 PM or so. :)
Please email me for the Wish List. :) Together we are able to make a difference in these peoples lives, to let them know that they are not forgotten & that they are cared for by many. :)
Thank you all my Angel Helpers for your Loving Kindness & Support this year again !! :)
Karin
L. Karin Elliott
3364 E. Popinac Loop
Tucson, AZ 85716
520-326-2236
LKarinElliott@aol.com
Thanksgiving & Christmas are approaching quickly & it is time once more to reach out to you & ask for your help to make the holidays special for the Homeless in Tucson's City Parks again. I can't believe it has been a year already, time so is flying by these days. :)
I have a Wish List for both holidays & I am humbly asking for donations to pull this off once more. :) The Wish List is on my computer & since I don't know how to attach it to this blog, please email me at LKarinElliott@aol.com & I will forward a copy to you if you like. :)
My dream is to get enough money & items together so I can make 65 grocery paperbag gift bags again this year. The people so enjoyed them last year. :)
For Thanksgiving I will need 5 volunteers to roast & carve a turkey each on Saturday, November 23rd, which is the Saturday before Thanksgiving, & then to bring them over to my home in the early afternoon. Hilde (89 years young now), Faith, & I will then cook the rest needed for the great big special meal. :)
On Christmas Eve, if I get enough funds together, I would like to go to both parks with a whole bunch of pizzas again. Last year I had 17 altogether to share & they were gone very quickly. :)
Christmas dinner will be cooked & served on Saturday, December 28th, which is one of our regular Saturdays. I haven't decided on the meal yet, but I'm hoping that Hilde will make her famous meat loaf & gravy again. :) It will be another huge meal. :)
All you wonderful bakers out there, for Christmas it would be awesome to have lots of home baked cookies to add to the gift bags again. :) There are never too many. ;) The cookies I will need by Sunday, December 22nd, so I have enough time to sort them all into 65 baggies & then into the big bags. We also need cookies for the Thanksgiving meal & of course always throughout the year. :)
It also would be nice to have hand made Christmas cards by children of all ages to put into the gift bags this year again. This could be a project for schools to teach the kids to share & about all the Homeless we have here in our city. Teachers & parents with children, would you please help out with this. :)
On December 28th I will need two volunteers with pick-up trucks to transport the 65 gift bags to both parks & to help hand them out there. This will be from 4:30 PM until about 7:30 PM or so. :)
Please email me for the Wish List. :) Together we are able to make a difference in these peoples lives, to let them know that they are not forgotten & that they are cared for by many. :)
Thank you all my Angel Helpers for your Loving Kindness & Support this year again !! :)
Karin
L. Karin Elliott
3364 E. Popinac Loop
Tucson, AZ 85716
520-326-2236
LKarinElliott@aol.com
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Tortilla Soup with Corn Chips, French Bread & Brownies
Today's meal was prepared & served to honor the memory of Shani Friedman. Her husband Jon donated in her name to the homeless food fund & I in turn wanted to do this for her. Shani crossed over into the Spirit World about eight months ago very unexpectedly. I've known Shani & Jon for many, many years, we used to be store neighbors on Grant Road when I had Rainbow Moods, and Jon & Shani had the The Wild Bird Store www.WildBirdsOnline.com at that location. The store now is at the corner of Fort Lowell & Country Club. Shani & Jon always were very kind & caring & wonderful neighbors. Please support their business & their dream. :)
We fed 52 people today, but again it felt like lots more. Most of the homeless came back for seconds, so we served close to 90 bowls. :) Faith & I chopped up 20 pounds of zucchini, shredded four big fat roasted chicken & added lots of cilantro into two huge pots of soup, which was more like a stoup (a cross between a soup & a stew). We also had six pounds of corn chips, which were almost all gone & there was very little soup left at the end. :)
Heily made a batch of her yummy brownies once more & J.J., Marilyn & I got to sample a few also. :) It's always a little treat for us helpers too. :)
Thank you Dave & Linda for donating some of the food for this meal again, you are ever so & always appreciated !! :) I feel very blessed to be part of your family & you are the brother I never had !! :)
J.J., Marilyn & Faith, thank you for always showing up & for being such a caring support to me & this project of feeding the people out there !! :)
I feel that even though the people in the parks don't have a home, they still deserve the very best food we can provide !! To me it is unimaginable to not have a roof over my head & the thought of them having to sleep on the hard & dry Arizona ground makes me cry. So the least I can do is provide a nourishing meal & hopefully make them feel loved a little bit from the inside out & not forgotten or ignored as they often are.
Sure, it is a lot of work, but it also is very rewarding & the loving gratitude we receive while serving the food makes it all worth while. So far we have served almost 11,000 meals & that doesn't count the second plates or bowl fulls. It was quite an adventure to learn to cook such huge quantities & now after having done this for three years, I find it hard to cook very small amounts anymore just for myself. Thank God for hungry friends & neighbors. :)
Good night now everyone & sleep with the Angels !! :)
We fed 52 people today, but again it felt like lots more. Most of the homeless came back for seconds, so we served close to 90 bowls. :) Faith & I chopped up 20 pounds of zucchini, shredded four big fat roasted chicken & added lots of cilantro into two huge pots of soup, which was more like a stoup (a cross between a soup & a stew). We also had six pounds of corn chips, which were almost all gone & there was very little soup left at the end. :)
Heily made a batch of her yummy brownies once more & J.J., Marilyn & I got to sample a few also. :) It's always a little treat for us helpers too. :)
Thank you Dave & Linda for donating some of the food for this meal again, you are ever so & always appreciated !! :) I feel very blessed to be part of your family & you are the brother I never had !! :)
J.J., Marilyn & Faith, thank you for always showing up & for being such a caring support to me & this project of feeding the people out there !! :)
I feel that even though the people in the parks don't have a home, they still deserve the very best food we can provide !! To me it is unimaginable to not have a roof over my head & the thought of them having to sleep on the hard & dry Arizona ground makes me cry. So the least I can do is provide a nourishing meal & hopefully make them feel loved a little bit from the inside out & not forgotten or ignored as they often are.
Sure, it is a lot of work, but it also is very rewarding & the loving gratitude we receive while serving the food makes it all worth while. So far we have served almost 11,000 meals & that doesn't count the second plates or bowl fulls. It was quite an adventure to learn to cook such huge quantities & now after having done this for three years, I find it hard to cook very small amounts anymore just for myself. Thank God for hungry friends & neighbors. :)
Good night now everyone & sleep with the Angels !! :)
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Jambalaya with Shrimp, Chicken & Sausage & my 70th Birthday
Tonight I am going to sleep with the biggest smile ever on my face !! :) Today is my 70th birth-day & this day was as special as it ever could be imagined !! :)
This was one of the most heart warming birth-days ever & I will never forget it !! :) It coincided with my regular day of feeding the homeless & since I believe in gifting others on my special day, it just felt right to cook & feed today. :)
Not too long ago I discovered a wonderful recipe for Jambalaya, which I had never eaten nor cooked before. It had shrimp, chicken & Kielbasa in it & sounded like the best meal treat for today. :) How often do the people in the parks get shrimp??!! My awesome neighbors Dave & Linda donated all the shrimp & meat for the meal. :) We ended up feeding 38 people & they loved it.
Faith, my Cooking Angel, came over & together we made two huge pots full. :) Faith, you are the fastest chopper I have ever met !! :) It all turned out quite good & I didn't make it too spicy, so everyone could enjoy it, even my three lil' Munchkins, if they wanted to try it. :)
J.J. gave me a card when I picked him up at the bus stop & he asked me to open it right there. Out fell three gift cards to some of my favorite places plus one more to a new one to explore. They all were from J.J., the anonymous "Water Angel", and Mark B. & Patty B., all go to the same church. I almost lost it right there, but had to drive us to the park. I was touched so deeply by all that Love. :)
Yesterday, J.J. gathered Marilyn, Mark & Patty, & I at "Something Sweet" for sandwiches & mega desserts. :) And kind Mark took care of the whole bill. The world is full of great & loving people & I really believe that we all are finding each other to make a difference in others lives. :) Life is wonderful !! :)
Thank you Mark & Patty for your loving Kindness & for being the Angels you are !! :)
When we got to the first park J.J. ran along the whole line of homeless & whispered in everyones ear that it was my birth-day. All the good wishes were just incredible & I was so touched. So much Love again !! :)
Melissa, Brian & the Muchkins came to help out again this time & Allison (3) was handing out the water, Lucas (5) was in charge of giving out the cookies & Jillian (5) tried to talk everyone into having a jalapeno. :) The kids gave me a picture of the four of us together in a frame that they decorated themselves by drawing on it all over. You have to see it, it is precious !! :) Lucas made me a special birth-day card all by himself. Jillian was dancing & singing for me a lot at the second park & it was such a joy !! :) And Melissa gave me a loaf of her own special zucchini bread. Yummmmmm !! :)
Diane & Don stopped by at the first park to say "hi" & that was sweet too. :) Don't stay away so long you two, it is always great to see your happy faces !! :)
When we got to the second park, Debbie, one of the homeless, handed me a card with a big & proud grin on her face. :) Now, we had just gotten to the park & there had been no time for anyone to sign anything. So "Sneaky Snake J.J." :) (I kept calling him that all evening) two weeks ago had gotten a card & had Melissa go around then to get everyone to sign it. :) I had no idea this was going on, I thought Melissa was just socializing with everyone & saying prayers with whomever wanted to. Sneaky, I tell you. ;)
It has become pretty obvious that I need a small freezer chest for the homeless food, especially with all the deals in the grocery stores lately on meat. I keep trying to borrow freezer space from my neighbors & my friends. :o Dave came over the other day & told me that he & Linda are giving me a freezer for my birthday. How incredible is that ??!! You two touched me so very deeply once more with your Kindness & Generosity !! :) You have made such a huge difference in my life & you are the worlds very best neighbors !! :) Thank You for all your Love, your caring & your unwavering support !!
J.J., you made my special day so very, very special & I'm going to sleep with a huge smile on my face now. :) Thank you for being my constant helper & my friend !! :) I am so blessed by you & your caring & beautiful Heart !! :) You are making many brownie points "Upstairs" !!
Good night everyone & sleep with the Angels !! :)
My prayer is that all your Kindness is coming back to you all many fold each & every day !! :)
This was one of the most heart warming birth-days ever & I will never forget it !! :) It coincided with my regular day of feeding the homeless & since I believe in gifting others on my special day, it just felt right to cook & feed today. :)
Not too long ago I discovered a wonderful recipe for Jambalaya, which I had never eaten nor cooked before. It had shrimp, chicken & Kielbasa in it & sounded like the best meal treat for today. :) How often do the people in the parks get shrimp??!! My awesome neighbors Dave & Linda donated all the shrimp & meat for the meal. :) We ended up feeding 38 people & they loved it.
Faith, my Cooking Angel, came over & together we made two huge pots full. :) Faith, you are the fastest chopper I have ever met !! :) It all turned out quite good & I didn't make it too spicy, so everyone could enjoy it, even my three lil' Munchkins, if they wanted to try it. :)
J.J. gave me a card when I picked him up at the bus stop & he asked me to open it right there. Out fell three gift cards to some of my favorite places plus one more to a new one to explore. They all were from J.J., the anonymous "Water Angel", and Mark B. & Patty B., all go to the same church. I almost lost it right there, but had to drive us to the park. I was touched so deeply by all that Love. :)
Yesterday, J.J. gathered Marilyn, Mark & Patty, & I at "Something Sweet" for sandwiches & mega desserts. :) And kind Mark took care of the whole bill. The world is full of great & loving people & I really believe that we all are finding each other to make a difference in others lives. :) Life is wonderful !! :)
Thank you Mark & Patty for your loving Kindness & for being the Angels you are !! :)
When we got to the first park J.J. ran along the whole line of homeless & whispered in everyones ear that it was my birth-day. All the good wishes were just incredible & I was so touched. So much Love again !! :)
Melissa, Brian & the Muchkins came to help out again this time & Allison (3) was handing out the water, Lucas (5) was in charge of giving out the cookies & Jillian (5) tried to talk everyone into having a jalapeno. :) The kids gave me a picture of the four of us together in a frame that they decorated themselves by drawing on it all over. You have to see it, it is precious !! :) Lucas made me a special birth-day card all by himself. Jillian was dancing & singing for me a lot at the second park & it was such a joy !! :) And Melissa gave me a loaf of her own special zucchini bread. Yummmmmm !! :)
Diane & Don stopped by at the first park to say "hi" & that was sweet too. :) Don't stay away so long you two, it is always great to see your happy faces !! :)
When we got to the second park, Debbie, one of the homeless, handed me a card with a big & proud grin on her face. :) Now, we had just gotten to the park & there had been no time for anyone to sign anything. So "Sneaky Snake J.J." :) (I kept calling him that all evening) two weeks ago had gotten a card & had Melissa go around then to get everyone to sign it. :) I had no idea this was going on, I thought Melissa was just socializing with everyone & saying prayers with whomever wanted to. Sneaky, I tell you. ;)
It has become pretty obvious that I need a small freezer chest for the homeless food, especially with all the deals in the grocery stores lately on meat. I keep trying to borrow freezer space from my neighbors & my friends. :o Dave came over the other day & told me that he & Linda are giving me a freezer for my birthday. How incredible is that ??!! You two touched me so very deeply once more with your Kindness & Generosity !! :) You have made such a huge difference in my life & you are the worlds very best neighbors !! :) Thank You for all your Love, your caring & your unwavering support !!
J.J., you made my special day so very, very special & I'm going to sleep with a huge smile on my face now. :) Thank you for being my constant helper & my friend !! :) I am so blessed by you & your caring & beautiful Heart !! :) You are making many brownie points "Upstairs" !!
Good night everyone & sleep with the Angels !! :)
My prayer is that all your Kindness is coming back to you all many fold each & every day !! :)
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Spaghetti, Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread, Cookies & More Cookies :)
Faith, my Cooking Angel, & I made Spaghetti in a meat sauce with fresh mushrooms, broccoli & cauliflower florets today. We ended up with two huge pot fulls & a medium sized one too. It was all eaten up except for just a little left over. :) J.J. loaded up the plates really good & I did the same with the salad. We fed 47 people today, but it felt like we fed many more. We had a lot of regulars today & some new faces too, which always happens of course. :)
I would like to dedicate today's meal in Gratitude to Frank & Sandy, who so graciously & lovingly have donated funds to help out with the costs, especially after feeding Hilde & I a most delicious lunch at their home earlier this week. :)
Melissa made a whole bunch of yummy garlic bread, which looked great. :) I missed out on it. :o
Thank you for putting your Love into those !!
Marilyn & Brian became the official photographers again. :) Please see all the pictures & movie below. Great job you two !! :) It is always nice to have pictures to post & to share with all the helpers too. Thank you both !! :) And later on Brian got appointed the "Milk Man" to serve milk in small salad bowls. I had forgotten to bring the drinking cups, but we figured it out anyway. :)
Shawne & Tobin it was nice to meet you both & I appreciate your wanting to help out, plus your handing out extra sweets to the people at the parks. :) Most so love those & some came back for seconds as you saw !! :)
Talhia & Tiffini how great it was to see your sweet faces at the parks with us & Tiffini you & your lil' one baked a lot of wonderful cookies !! :) See how fast they went ??!! Tiffini you were a great "Cheese Girl". :) Thank you both lots !! And thank you also for all the clothes & shoes you donated so kindly !! :) Your Mom is smiling down on you from Heaven with pride!! :)
Dave & Linda, my dearest neighbors, I'm running out of ways to thank you, but please know that all of it is deeply heartfelt & my Gratitude is never ending for you both !! :)
And of course we had our three lil' Munchkins, Allison (3), Luke (5) & Jillian (6) with us again to help hand out water, cookies & everything else. :) :) :) All three are our most cheerful helpers & always put big smiles on the faces of "The People in the Parks".
I asked Melissa to let me know what our Munchkins said on the way home & here is what she wrote:
"The kids loved it as usual. They decided they didn't like calling them 'Homeless' or 'Poor people' and wanted just to call them the people in the park. We talked about how God made us all in perfection and equally." Out of the mouths of Babes & of course Melissa, their wonderful Mom !! :)
Good Night now, time to get some rest !! :)
Sleep with the Angels each & everyone of you !! :)
I would like to dedicate today's meal in Gratitude to Frank & Sandy, who so graciously & lovingly have donated funds to help out with the costs, especially after feeding Hilde & I a most delicious lunch at their home earlier this week. :)
Melissa made a whole bunch of yummy garlic bread, which looked great. :) I missed out on it. :o
Thank you for putting your Love into those !!
Marilyn & Brian became the official photographers again. :) Please see all the pictures & movie below. Great job you two !! :) It is always nice to have pictures to post & to share with all the helpers too. Thank you both !! :) And later on Brian got appointed the "Milk Man" to serve milk in small salad bowls. I had forgotten to bring the drinking cups, but we figured it out anyway. :)
Shawne & Tobin it was nice to meet you both & I appreciate your wanting to help out, plus your handing out extra sweets to the people at the parks. :) Most so love those & some came back for seconds as you saw !! :)
Talhia & Tiffini how great it was to see your sweet faces at the parks with us & Tiffini you & your lil' one baked a lot of wonderful cookies !! :) See how fast they went ??!! Tiffini you were a great "Cheese Girl". :) Thank you both lots !! And thank you also for all the clothes & shoes you donated so kindly !! :) Your Mom is smiling down on you from Heaven with pride!! :)
Dave & Linda, my dearest neighbors, I'm running out of ways to thank you, but please know that all of it is deeply heartfelt & my Gratitude is never ending for you both !! :)
And of course we had our three lil' Munchkins, Allison (3), Luke (5) & Jillian (6) with us again to help hand out water, cookies & everything else. :) :) :) All three are our most cheerful helpers & always put big smiles on the faces of "The People in the Parks".
I asked Melissa to let me know what our Munchkins said on the way home & here is what she wrote:
"The kids loved it as usual. They decided they didn't like calling them 'Homeless' or 'Poor people' and wanted just to call them the people in the park. We talked about how God made us all in perfection and equally." Out of the mouths of Babes & of course Melissa, their wonderful Mom !! :)
Good Night now, time to get some rest !! :)
Sleep with the Angels each & everyone of you !! :)
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