Continuation ........................
Dave and Linda Mann, thank you so much for the candy, combs, books and Granola Bars. It helped out a lot !! :)
Cristina Ball, thank you for all the wet wipes & for buying all those blankets & sleeping bags at the thrift store for the Homeless !! :) What a great idea !! :)
Alison Newman, thank you for knitting a bunch of warm fingerless gloves, plus scarves and caps !! Also for donating a lot of odds and ends that we needed for stuffing the bags. :) It was sweet how you wrapped all the gloves with pretty ribbons. :)
Marilyn Rubin, my faithful helper, thank you for the running around you did to find the T-shirts, sweatshirts, and the socks for the ladies !! :) Also thank you Alvin for the cookies and granola bars !! :)
Sue Bradford, thank you my friend, for the extra socks !! :)
Dr. Kronlage, a big thank you for donating all those snack items for the Homeless !! It was so wonderful to stuff them all into the backpacks. :)
Laura Kakuris and Steve, thank you for donating some of the Christmas candy this year !! :)
Sadie, your help with the toothpastes and toothbrushes is much appreciated & please come back to the parks with us soon !! :)
Nicole and Nathan Mitchell, thank you for picking up the slack of the last toothpastes and toothbrushes !! :) It all rounded out in the end.
I also would like to thank the people from Hilde's church for donating some of the items needed to fill the backpacks. :)
And another great big thank you goes out to Buck Bannister & Michael, Mara Concordia, Cristina Ball, Nicole & Nathan Mitchell, and Inna Rohr, for all those warm blankets and sleeping bags you brought over for the people in the parks !! :) I so appreciate that some of you even went to thrift shops to find them !! :)
Sending a great big thank you hug to each of you wonderful people for helping with this project and for all the Love you gifted the Homeless with this Season !! :)
I am ever so grateful to each one of you !! :)
Feeding the Homeless People in the City Parks of Tucson, Arizona.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Sausage & Vegetable Stew, Tossed Salad & Home Baked Brownies
In a car loaded up with lots of hot food, many warm jackets, blankets and comforters, I headed to the two parks. :)
It is so chilly now at night and the homeless sleep on the cold ground, so please help me to gather blankets, sleeping bags, even comforters, or mattress pads. They can be used already & the homeless so appreciate them. If you don't mind, please also ask your friends to see what is in their closets that they don't really use. Warm jackets are always needed too. If you can bring them to my home I then will gladly take them to the parks & distribute them. :) Thank you for helping out !! :)
Faith, my Cooking Angel, and I made a stick to your ribs Sausage & Vegetable Stew today, which included 12 lbs. of Kielbasa, 15 lbs. of potatoes and 7 lbs. of carrots and we fed 40 people tonight. Someone else was at Santa Rita Park serving a Stir Fry and many of the homeless had been eating already when we got there around 5 PM. So we didn't feed too many people today. Some of the homeless from the second park were working at the Street Fair to pick up a little money. But 40 people have a full belly tonight & some have warm jackets & blankets. :) It's a good feeling. :)
Nicole & Nathan came by my home today to bring two big containers of home baked Brownies for tonight's meal. They were wonderful & we all had some too. :) You know I pay my helpers with brownies & cookies. ;) It was so nice to meet you both & I am so grateful for your loving support !! :)
Sadie came by the park to bring some items she is donating for the Christmas event on December 28th. Sadie, thank you for stopping by & for wanting to help so much !! :) It was really nice to meet you also today !! :)
Gerry & Kim came back to the parks to help with serving the food & it was wonderful to have you both with Marilyn & I. We make a wonderful team & I hope you will come back over & over again !! :) :) Thank you for your caring help !! And Gerry, your sweet smile !! :)
Dave & Linda, thank you again for contributing some of the groceries for this meal & Dave thank you for loading up my car with a lot of stuff today !! :) You are so appreciated always !! :)
Marilyn, my loyal Friend, I always so appreciate your cleaning up all those big pots & utensils, etc., and for helping serve all those hungry people. :) You are awesome and I know that you give up other activities to be there for this and that makes me even more grateful !! :)
The next meal will be pizza on Christmas Eve. :)
Good Night now to you all & sleep with the Angels !! :)
It is so chilly now at night and the homeless sleep on the cold ground, so please help me to gather blankets, sleeping bags, even comforters, or mattress pads. They can be used already & the homeless so appreciate them. If you don't mind, please also ask your friends to see what is in their closets that they don't really use. Warm jackets are always needed too. If you can bring them to my home I then will gladly take them to the parks & distribute them. :) Thank you for helping out !! :)
Faith, my Cooking Angel, and I made a stick to your ribs Sausage & Vegetable Stew today, which included 12 lbs. of Kielbasa, 15 lbs. of potatoes and 7 lbs. of carrots and we fed 40 people tonight. Someone else was at Santa Rita Park serving a Stir Fry and many of the homeless had been eating already when we got there around 5 PM. So we didn't feed too many people today. Some of the homeless from the second park were working at the Street Fair to pick up a little money. But 40 people have a full belly tonight & some have warm jackets & blankets. :) It's a good feeling. :)
Nicole & Nathan came by my home today to bring two big containers of home baked Brownies for tonight's meal. They were wonderful & we all had some too. :) You know I pay my helpers with brownies & cookies. ;) It was so nice to meet you both & I am so grateful for your loving support !! :)
Sadie came by the park to bring some items she is donating for the Christmas event on December 28th. Sadie, thank you for stopping by & for wanting to help so much !! :) It was really nice to meet you also today !! :)
Gerry & Kim came back to the parks to help with serving the food & it was wonderful to have you both with Marilyn & I. We make a wonderful team & I hope you will come back over & over again !! :) :) Thank you for your caring help !! And Gerry, your sweet smile !! :)
Dave & Linda, thank you again for contributing some of the groceries for this meal & Dave thank you for loading up my car with a lot of stuff today !! :) You are so appreciated always !! :)
Marilyn, my loyal Friend, I always so appreciate your cleaning up all those big pots & utensils, etc., and for helping serve all those hungry people. :) You are awesome and I know that you give up other activities to be there for this and that makes me even more grateful !! :)
The next meal will be pizza on Christmas Eve. :)
Good Night now to you all & sleep with the Angels !! :)
Saturday, November 30, 2013
17 Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizzas
Since this is the 5th Saturday this month, I loaded up with 17 Little Caesar Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizzas I headed to the two parks & was welcomed with lots of hollers of "Piiiiiiizzzzzaaaaa" !!!! :) And "oh thank you for not bringing turkey, we are so turkeyed out". "Piiiiiiiizzzzzzaaaaaa" !!" :)
Served 67 people this evening & many even got seconds, which totalled to one half of a big fat deep dish pizza. :) Everyone was really happy, although I could have used more cookies.
I got a call back from Little Caesar earlier today, they wanted to make sure that I was still coming for all 17 pies, which made me giggle, since I have done this for four years now at the same place. :)
Since I was by myself this time I had to ask one homeless person at each park to help serve the cookies & water. :) It was really nice to be able to spend some quality time with each person & to get to know them a little bit better along the way. :)
Not much else to share, except for a bunch of happy homeless once more. :) And me too !! :)
Such a blessing this is each time !!
Served 67 people this evening & many even got seconds, which totalled to one half of a big fat deep dish pizza. :) Everyone was really happy, although I could have used more cookies.
I got a call back from Little Caesar earlier today, they wanted to make sure that I was still coming for all 17 pies, which made me giggle, since I have done this for four years now at the same place. :)
Since I was by myself this time I had to ask one homeless person at each park to help serve the cookies & water. :) It was really nice to be able to spend some quality time with each person & to get to know them a little bit better along the way. :)
Not much else to share, except for a bunch of happy homeless once more. :) And me too !! :)
Such a blessing this is each time !!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Thanksgiving Dinner of Turkey with all the Trimmings - Continuation
Five roasted turkeys, a tray of stuffing, two big pots of mashed potatoes, two pots of gravy, 36 cans of corn with butter, eight huge cans of green beans with cranberries, a great big tray of Costa Rican rice, ten cans of cranberry sauce, an enormous bowl of Jello with fruit cocktail, six containers of Cool Whip, and lots of cookies all fed 70 people their Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. :) And only just a few leftovers. :)
A really big storm came through here & it rained heavily all day Friday, all night, and it was also raining & quite dreary on Saturday late morning when I got up. The sun never came out on Friday at all, which is quite unusual for us here in Tucson. Many of us, even as far away as Wisconsin, prayed for the rain to stop, at least long enough to feed the homeless, which of course is done outside in parking lots of two City parks.
Kristine & Ray of "Kadooks" Food Truck offered to bring their canopy so the food would stay dry while serving & the homeless would be covered too while eating. :) And thank you both also for bringing all that wonderful Costa Rican rice to share with everyone !! :) You two are awesome & your Lights shine bright !! :) It was so special to have you join all of us for this special occasion. :)
Yesterday, Saturday, around 2 P.M. it stopped raining, started clearing up & the sun started peeking out, especially on the west side, where the parks are. :) Many Thank You prayers were sent "up" & still are today for this great big Miracle. :) The forecast was that it supposed to rain hard all day yesterday & again today on Sunday. Thank you everyone locally for your prayers, and the Wisconsin ones too. :)
Most of the homeless people were surprised to get this early turkey dinner & all were quite grateful. :) Those extra large plates were so full of food, there was no room for anything else on there. It just was so good to know that their bellies were full & that they all were sleeping in dry weather last night. :)
Thank you Marianne, K.C., Teresa, Patty, and Gopal for roasting & carving a turkey each for this meal !! :) I couldn't have pulled this off without your kind help. :) And thank you also for bringing them over to my house during the rainy mess outside. I have some turkey meat left over, which is in the freezer already. It will make a wonderful turkey "stoup" (soup-stew) after the holidays for the homeless, especially some of your smoked turkey, Gopal !! :)
Hilde, thank you for making your great stuffing again this year & your famously smooth & tasteful gravy !! :) Mary Ann, thank you for bringing your Mom over & to the park & thank you both for helping out with the mashed potatoes. :)
Sue, my faithful corn & green beans helper, thank you for filling up the pots with those & for heating them up at your house to cover for the lack of big stove burners, actually more burners altogether. :) We used a lot of great big pots for this meal.
Dave & Linda, thank you for helping with the groceries for this meal too & for even bringing extra this time. It will help with the big Christmas meal, which is coming up quickly. :)
I so appreciate everything you do for the homeless !! :)
Marilyn, you get five stars for the big bowl of Jello with fruit cocktail you made for this occasion, my non-cooking friend !! :) May your burners always be turned on. ;)
Lydia, Lupe, & Bertha thank you for baking all those cookies & for putting them into all those gorgeous bags !! :) What a beautiful sight that was !! :) There will be photos of this after this blog. I bought some more small bags & Marilyn separated the cookies into twice as many baggies, so we had enough for everyone during last nights meal. :)
Cristina, thank you dearly for donating all the cranberry sauce, which went quickly this time around. :)
Marilyn, Hilde & Mary Ann, Gerry & Kim, Teresa & Leticia, Ray & Kristine, my Gratitude goes to all of you for making a wonderful serving line for all the food !! :) You were a great team altogether !! :) And thank you for loading everything in & out of the cars & so quickly too. :)
Marilyn, thank you also for taking pictures & movies again for this blog, some of which are following this. :) We don't have too many pictures, since it gets dark quite early these days, but we have a few & some wonderful short videos. :)
Now onward towards the big Christmas event for the homeless, which will be on December 28th this year. On Christmas Eve I will be going to the two parks with 17 Deep Dish Pizzas, which I ordered today. :)
Happy Thanksgiving to each & everyone of you !! :) My Heart is full of Gratitude to all of you who are always there for me on this adventure of feeding the homeless & hungry !! :) May your Season be blessed with many happy surprises !! :)
A really big storm came through here & it rained heavily all day Friday, all night, and it was also raining & quite dreary on Saturday late morning when I got up. The sun never came out on Friday at all, which is quite unusual for us here in Tucson. Many of us, even as far away as Wisconsin, prayed for the rain to stop, at least long enough to feed the homeless, which of course is done outside in parking lots of two City parks.
Kristine & Ray of "Kadooks" Food Truck offered to bring their canopy so the food would stay dry while serving & the homeless would be covered too while eating. :) And thank you both also for bringing all that wonderful Costa Rican rice to share with everyone !! :) You two are awesome & your Lights shine bright !! :) It was so special to have you join all of us for this special occasion. :)
Yesterday, Saturday, around 2 P.M. it stopped raining, started clearing up & the sun started peeking out, especially on the west side, where the parks are. :) Many Thank You prayers were sent "up" & still are today for this great big Miracle. :) The forecast was that it supposed to rain hard all day yesterday & again today on Sunday. Thank you everyone locally for your prayers, and the Wisconsin ones too. :)
Most of the homeless people were surprised to get this early turkey dinner & all were quite grateful. :) Those extra large plates were so full of food, there was no room for anything else on there. It just was so good to know that their bellies were full & that they all were sleeping in dry weather last night. :)
Thank you Marianne, K.C., Teresa, Patty, and Gopal for roasting & carving a turkey each for this meal !! :) I couldn't have pulled this off without your kind help. :) And thank you also for bringing them over to my house during the rainy mess outside. I have some turkey meat left over, which is in the freezer already. It will make a wonderful turkey "stoup" (soup-stew) after the holidays for the homeless, especially some of your smoked turkey, Gopal !! :)
Hilde, thank you for making your great stuffing again this year & your famously smooth & tasteful gravy !! :) Mary Ann, thank you for bringing your Mom over & to the park & thank you both for helping out with the mashed potatoes. :)
Sue, my faithful corn & green beans helper, thank you for filling up the pots with those & for heating them up at your house to cover for the lack of big stove burners, actually more burners altogether. :) We used a lot of great big pots for this meal.
Dave & Linda, thank you for helping with the groceries for this meal too & for even bringing extra this time. It will help with the big Christmas meal, which is coming up quickly. :)
I so appreciate everything you do for the homeless !! :)
Marilyn, you get five stars for the big bowl of Jello with fruit cocktail you made for this occasion, my non-cooking friend !! :) May your burners always be turned on. ;)
Lydia, Lupe, & Bertha thank you for baking all those cookies & for putting them into all those gorgeous bags !! :) What a beautiful sight that was !! :) There will be photos of this after this blog. I bought some more small bags & Marilyn separated the cookies into twice as many baggies, so we had enough for everyone during last nights meal. :)
Cristina, thank you dearly for donating all the cranberry sauce, which went quickly this time around. :)
Marilyn, Hilde & Mary Ann, Gerry & Kim, Teresa & Leticia, Ray & Kristine, my Gratitude goes to all of you for making a wonderful serving line for all the food !! :) You were a great team altogether !! :) And thank you for loading everything in & out of the cars & so quickly too. :)
Marilyn, thank you also for taking pictures & movies again for this blog, some of which are following this. :) We don't have too many pictures, since it gets dark quite early these days, but we have a few & some wonderful short videos. :)
Now onward towards the big Christmas event for the homeless, which will be on December 28th this year. On Christmas Eve I will be going to the two parks with 17 Deep Dish Pizzas, which I ordered today. :)
Happy Thanksgiving to each & everyone of you !! :) My Heart is full of Gratitude to all of you who are always there for me on this adventure of feeding the homeless & hungry !! :) May your Season be blessed with many happy surprises !! :)
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Thanksgiving Dinner of Turkey with all the Trimmings
We served the Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless today already & we fed 70 people.
I just finished cleaning the kitchen & I'm totally bushed, so I will write a lot more tomorrow. At one point we served the 11,000th plate of food tonight. :) I can't believe it myself !! :)
Good Night everyone & stay warm & dry !! :)
I just finished cleaning the kitchen & I'm totally bushed, so I will write a lot more tomorrow. At one point we served the 11,000th plate of food tonight. :) I can't believe it myself !! :)
Good Night everyone & stay warm & dry !! :)
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Tuna Casserole with Artichoke Hearts & Red Peppers, Tossed Salad & Oreo Cookies
Faith, my Cooking Angel, and I made Tuna Casserole for the first time today. I found a wonderful new recipe that had added many fresh sliced red peppers & artichoke hearts too. :) Whenever we make something with tuna for the homeless it is always really appreciated & this time was no exception. :) The artichoke hearts were a big success too.
We fed 69 people tonight. :) The lines at both parks are getting longer again each time & it feels good to be feeding more people again. With the Thanksgiving meal on November 23rd we will cross 11,000 fed. :o
We were so busy serving that we didn't have time to take pictures this time. :o :)
Tonight was J.J.s last time serving, on a regular basis anyway. J.J. has a new job & has to work on Saturdays now. It makes me sad to lose you J.J., as I knew I could always count on you to be at the parks. :) You knew the routine so well & you always made it easy for Marilyn & me. :) Thank you for all the hours you dedicated to this & please come back anytime you get out of work early !! :) It will not be the same without you !!
Thank you Cheryl for all the Oreo cookies you donated !! They all got eaten up tonight, except for three, which I gave to Marilyn, who loves Oreos & anything sweet for that matter. :)
Thank you Dave & Linda for helping with some of the groceries for this meal & Dave, for loading up the car for me once more with all the heavy things !! :)
Marilyn, I'm so grateful for all your caring help & that you are so reliable always. :)
Good night now & sleep with the Angels everyone !! :)
We fed 69 people tonight. :) The lines at both parks are getting longer again each time & it feels good to be feeding more people again. With the Thanksgiving meal on November 23rd we will cross 11,000 fed. :o
We were so busy serving that we didn't have time to take pictures this time. :o :)
Tonight was J.J.s last time serving, on a regular basis anyway. J.J. has a new job & has to work on Saturdays now. It makes me sad to lose you J.J., as I knew I could always count on you to be at the parks. :) You knew the routine so well & you always made it easy for Marilyn & me. :) Thank you for all the hours you dedicated to this & please come back anytime you get out of work early !! :) It will not be the same without you !!
Thank you Cheryl for all the Oreo cookies you donated !! They all got eaten up tonight, except for three, which I gave to Marilyn, who loves Oreos & anything sweet for that matter. :)
Thank you Dave & Linda for helping with some of the groceries for this meal & Dave, for loading up the car for me once more with all the heavy things !! :)
Marilyn, I'm so grateful for all your caring help & that you are so reliable always. :)
Good night now & sleep with the Angels everyone !! :)
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Chili, Tossed Salad, and Brownies
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 !! :)
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 !! :)
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
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