My Nonprofit Reviews
PatB
Review for Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA, USA
Volunteering for Community Lunch is such a rewarding experience because of everyone involved - from the staff, to the Board of Directors, Central Lutheran Church, All Pilgrims Church, and all the other congregations, a host of volunteers and especially our guests. It's always such a joy for me to return and see all the familiar faces.
Kudos go especially to the Director, Don Jensen (arm twister extrordinaire) who has an incredible ability to find the amazing amount of resources that it takes to make this program such a success.
The challenges we face in helping those in need will continue and may even increase in the future which makes it even more imperative that we all support successful programs like this one.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
not only seeing that needy people are receiving nutritious meals but other basic needs and social services.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Over the years it's improved so much that it's hard to think of much that could improve the lunch program. It would be great to have the funding available to provide more social services.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
can't think of any
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I've met so many wonderful people.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
joyful!
Review for Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA, USA
I've been volunteering for what is now Community Lunch for 15 years. When I began it was a small program administered by Lutheran Social Services which relied on volunteer church congregations to provide and serve homemade pots of soup, bread and homemade desserts to 75 to 100 guests once a week. I still marvel at the changes that have happened to this service since that time! We now serve full balanced meals with a choice of hot entrees to 200 - 300 guests twice a week, and in addition, offer social services to help guests find access to other community and government resources. A large part of the credit for the excellence of the program is to due to the current director. He has done an amazing job of: finding cost-free resources (restaurants, grocery stores and food banks) for the high quality food stuffs used in the meals we serve; obtaining donations from companies and organizations for equipment such as freezers, refrigerators and stoves; organizing and administering fund raisers; and most of all recruiting volunteers.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
It's been such a great blessing to me to meet and work with so many people involved in this effort. It's always a joy to see the regular guests and to get acquainted with new ones. It was such a thrill to see one of the guests be able to obtain permanent housing thru the program after more than 10 years of being homeless and two other guests to become part of the paid staff. And it's a lot of fun figure out what to make with 100 pounds of USDA surplus duck!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find more funding in order to pay the permanent staff more for what the excellent job they do.
