Helping with Dinner

.
Much like the elementary school teachers who don't actually sleep under their desks each night like their students suppose, the folks at SPR also have lives of their own. This often results in a lot of good for Spokane. For example, each Tuesday, Amy, Shelley, and Stephanie head over to the Women's and Children's Free Restaurant to help provide over 80 nutritious meals in two hours for the needy people of Spokane. Recently, Amy was named Volunteer of the Year.

"I was really surprised," she said, blushing slightly. "I do so little compared to everyone there." But of course, every Tuesday for over a year, plus special events like their summer barbecue where the Restaurant feeds over 1000, tends to add up.

"It's a wonderful, wonderful place," Amy said. The Restaurant, which is located in the basement of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, serves the poorest zip code in the entire state of Washington. Dinners are provided on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, with a big lunch and fresh "take-out" produce on Fridays. The food is completely donation-based from local groceries, farmers, and home gardeners.

Amy had wanted to be more active volunteering in the community and "this is something I think does a lot of good for a lot of people," she said. "I'm in a fortunate position and everyone needs help from time to time."

For two hours each Friday women and children can come into the Restaurant and fill out "menus" detailing the food they would like for themselves and their families. Volunteers collect these menus, looks over them, and fill recyclable bags with the requested items. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, hot, healthy meals are served to all guests.

"It's really a great example of how a few people wanting to make a difference can become a lifechanging service," said Amy.