Volunteer Profiles

Above: Simpson Housing was the The North Star Roller Girls April charity of the month. The girls joined forces off the roller rink and served dinner at the women’s shelter. Front row, left to right: Maggie McFacestomp, Pouge Mahone, Mardi Growl. Back row: Crust Almighty, Mia Gonnagitcha, Luscious D., Sister Shotgun, and Miss Hannigan.

A Simpson volunteer tells how she came to serve dinner at the women’s shelter

It was August of 2006 and because of roommate circumstances I was forced from my apartment. I managed to stay with friends for about a week, but they had their own families and lives. Although I was fortunate enough to have a job at a warehouse, I was without a place to live. I knew if I saved every penny from my checks, except for bus fare, I would have enough to get into a small efficiency apartment in about a month. But, what to do in the meantime?

Through a miracle, I found the Simpson Women’s Shelter and it was there I was taken in – to a wonderful hot meal, a chance to shower, wash clothes and even given toiletries, socks and underwear. Each morning I was given sandwiches for my lunch at work and I had a safe place at night.

To be honest, it wasn’t how I ever envisioned myself – having to rely on the grace of others. Every night groups of caring souls with smiles and piles of delicious food came just for us. I realized there is always another side of the story and if I ever had the means and opportunity to reciprocate, I wanted to be the one to bring a “smile and a pile.”

It took almost exactly a month, but I got my little efficiency. Since then, I moved up to a better apartment and my warehouse job turned out to be the experience I needed to get into an actual career (with a Fortune 500 company no less!) So, recently when my daughter wanted to do some volunteer work, the Simpson Women’s Shelter offered the perfect chance to give back. We brought in piles of lasagna and our smiles. Sometimes we are blessed by others and don’t even realize it. I was fortunate enough to realize this, and I’ve never forgotten.

To all of you who give (or are thinking of giving) your time, money and cooking talents – many, many thanks!

Tammy A.

Serving a meal at the Simpson Women’s Shelter is a fun, rewarding and very manageable volunteer opportunity. Contact Barbara at 612.455.0849 or bglaser@simpsonhousing.org for more information.

Read about preparing and serving a meal at the women's shelter.

A Special Dinner
A first hand account of dining with the homeless
by Jenny Finden-Watson

Feeling nervous and excited, Heather Saliba, Karen Alexander and I rang the doorbell of the Simpson Women’s Shelter. We waited and we wondered. Had we made enough food? Would someone show us the ropes? Would the oven take an eternity to heat up?! Would the women be friendly or prefer to be left alone? This was the first meal St. James on the Parkway would serve at the shelter, and we weren’t sure what to expect.

The door flew open. “Welcome!” said Jim the smiling caretaker. He wasted no time in explaining the kitchen layout and warning us that we had a very hot oven (oh joy). The women would arrive about 6 p.m. and we could begin serving whenever our food was ready. “Will you be eating with us?” he asked. We said we were planning on it, to which he responded “Great, that’s what we like.” We felt like this could be fun.

Soon the smells of homemade garlic bread, savory sauce, meat and sautéed mushrooms filled the air. And the pasta was heating up nicely, (thanks to the hot oven). Karen’s colorful salad was coming together complete with two dressings. We grated cheese, shredded basil, dished hot peppers, and piled fruit and cookies high on their plates. Dinner was ready.

“Something smells delicious” the first woman commented as she entered the room. “Mmmmm, what smells so good?” asked another. Now we knew we were going to have a fun night. The thirteen guests served themselves and commented excitedly when they came to an item they really liked. We dished up our plates too and sat down at the tables to eat and chat with our guests.

A large screen TV was tuned to the local news. Everyone was interested in the weather. “What did you do to beat the 100 degree heat the other day?” I asked my table. “Walked to the park and hung out at the kiddy pool all day,” said one woman. She went on to explain about being able to watch the local forecast, especially in the morning. The women have to leave the shelter at 7 a.m. and cannot return until 6 p.m. so it’s good to be prepared.

“You look tired, is it your new medication?” one concerned guest asked another at my table. Yes, she thought it was. The women seemed very concerned about one another and to know each other well. The shelter has no limits on how long a person can stay. And as a result relationships develop.

“I love mushrooms!” “Good salad!” “This is really good, thank you.” Everyone was enjoying their meals and there was a lot of going back and forth for seconds…and even thirds. They made sure to let us know what they really enjoyed.

We wanted to know what the guests liked to have served, so we asked. “Believe it or not, hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings, you know, a really good hamburger, not like in the fast food restaurants.” “Pickles, we love pickles!” “Tuna, like in a pasta or rice salad is always good.” “Potato salad always goes over well.” One woman even mentioned venison in white wine. What don’t they want? Almost in unison they exclaimed, “Coleslaw, only one of us eats it!”

As we cleaned up the kitchen, the women took out their mattresses and bedding. Some went to the lockers for their belongings and tidied up for bed. Some took turns at the telephone. Others lounged on old car seats outside the back door having a smoke and enjoying the beautiful breeze.

At the end of the evening many of the women thanked us for a delicious meal. We felt it was a treat not only to serve, but to visit with the guests as well. We had taken part in something very special…and we can’t wait to do it all over again!
Jenny Finden-Watson is the meal coordinator for St. James on the Parkway Episcopal Church in Minneapolis.

Read about preparing and serving a meal at the women's shelter

Sheryl B. and friends
When Sheryl Burkhardt volunteers her food service skills to Simpson, it’s a family affair.

It all began about seven years ago when Sheryl’s eldest daughter, Hilary served dinner at a Simpson Soar program parenting workshop with her Girl Scout troop. “For every fun thing that the troop got to do, I made sure that we also performed an act of community service,” says Sheryl.

That first act of community service at the workshop stuck and seven years later Sheryl B. and friends, as the group is known, has served some 35 meals for Simpson.

Most of the meals the group serves are for the Soar program, but they also serve meals at the men’s and the women’s shelters. “I come from a large family and my mom and dad are food people. Serving the 20 or so guests at the women’s shelter is about like cooking dinner for everyone at the holidays.”

The meals at the men’s shelter are a bit more of a challenge, with up to 80 people being served, but every bit as rewarding. “I would have my son come along and he would grumble at first, but after chatting with the men at the shelter, I always noticed a change in his attitude.”

“One night one of the overnight volunteers asked him to hold his seat while he went to get a blanket for one of the men who was eating, but wasn’t sleeping at the shelter. I think it was then that it truly hit him that there really are people spending the night outside in the winter.”

On one particular August night in the men’s shelter, Sheryl B. and friends were busy making turkey sandwiches from freshly roasted turkeys and warming up mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. Watermelons were being sliced into wedges, coleslaw was being tossed with dressing and a variety of homemade bars were being cut and plated.

When asked for some tips on making such a big meal Sheryl responds, “My dad was a bargain-hunter and I am a really good shopper. I hunt down what is on sale during the weeks before we serve. The cost of the food is a really worthwhile donation to Simpson. And the men are so appreciative of the hot meal.”

Read about preparing and serving a meal at the shelter

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