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ALERT:
TEMPORARY CHANGES DURING PARISH HALL REMODEL: From mid-July until mid-December contractors will remodel our dinner program kitchen and bathrooms. Starting July 13 our Sunday Dinner will be served at University Lutheran Church at the corner of NE 50th St. and 16th Ave. NE, eight blocks directly east of Blessed Sacrament. Serving time for dinner will be from 1 to 2:30 PM. Guests are asked to arrive no earlier than 12:30. There will be no pre-dinner coffee served.
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Sunday Dinner Program
Since 1970, the Blessed Sacrament Sunday dinner has been providing a full course hot meal every week of the year to Seattle area homeless and low or no income individuals and families. The dinner is a key program of the Blessed Sacrament St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Although open to anyone without hassle, the dinner is meant to assist those who are homeless, unemployed or on low fixed incomes such as social security recipients.
Cafeteria style, the Sunday Dinner serves between 300 and 500 meals each week and guests may go through the line as many times as they wish. Among the less fortunate throughout Seattle, the dinner has gained a reputation, as a place were a person is treated with special dignity and warmth without regard to economic station. For those who struggle with the tremendous stresses that go with homelessness, joblessness and the inadequacies of a meager income, the dinner has become a weekly haven, a characteristic of the dinner that has become as important as the food served. This is best illustrated by a quote from Pat Campbell who directed the dinner for 25 years, retiring in 1995, "We serve and treat our guests just as we would guests who come into our own homes."
For years, the Sunday Dinner program has provided an opportunity for hundreds of volunteers, parishioners from Blessed Sacrament as well as others from surrounding Catholic and non-Catholic congregations, to easily "plug in" and effectively contribute time and energy to serve the poor and less fortunate in the community. The esprit de corps and camaraderie among volunteers has led to fast friendships, including a few weddings, and has been an important extension of Christian faith for many. Those who serve are changed by each other as well as those who are served.
"How can I help?"
Time, Food, and Money
Volunteer your time at the Sunday Dinner one or more Sundays a month. Come to the Parish Hall, NW corner of the church, at around 6:30 am to help prepare the meal. We generally work until 9:00. We also need help at around 11:30 am to serve the dinner. We finish up around 2:30 pm.
Service Learning Opportunities
Our Sunday Dinner program is a great place for area students to learn the value of serving others. We have students from the area’s high schools and universities who come in to volunteer and discover friendship and service.
For more information about the Sunday Dinner and how to become involved or donate food or supplies call Del Catunao at 206-322-6388 or Ref Lindmark at 206-522-9096.
Friday Food Bank
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Blessed Sacrament Conference, also sponsors a weekly food bank. We distribute food baskets and supplies to over 125 families every week. We are committed to serving the families with dignity, respect and love. The baskets are prepared on Friday morning and distributed from 10:30 to noon.
If you can provide assistance, please come by the Parish Hall either Friday morning at 8:30 am or to help with distribution, come at 10:00 pm. If you have any food or supplies that you would like to donate, please call John or Jerene Morford at 206-523-0823.
