Downtown Daily Bread Fall Newsletter

Fall 2013 Issue 23

From The Director

This year marks a milestone of great significance for Downtown

DDB Mission: Daily Bread. It was 30 years ago--in 1983—that Downtown Daily Feed the hungry & Bread, as a mission of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church, provide services for opened its doors, its kitchen and its embrace to those who were the homeless of hungry. For 30 years, people of every kind came to eat at the Harrisburg. busy kitchen on South Street, Harrisburg. And for 30 years, Downtown Daily Bread

Inside This Issue:  30th Anniversary     

Celebration Senate Hearing Testimony Creative Contribution Summer Time At DDB What Success Looks Like Wish List

Downtown Daily Bread 310 N. Third Street Harrisburg PA 17101 www.downtowndailybread.org

Elaine Strokoff Executive Director 717-238-4717 Brenda Ervin Kitchen Manager 717-238-4718 Kobie White Weekend Cook 717-238-4718 Christine Patrick Client Counselor 717-238-4718 Cynthia Swanson Mental Health Outreach Counselor 717-238-4718 Linda McGuire Newsletter Editor

fed them nourishing good food and treated them with compassion and respect.

And so with great joy and gratitude, we embark on a year long celebration of Downtown Daily Bread’s 30th Anniversary. Invited to join the celebration are the community of devoted friends and partners, volunteers and benefactors and the staunchly supportive churches and synagogues. Without them, DDB could not have flourished and grown over the years. Together, we will share and celebrate this success on October 6, 2013, at the Harrisburg Hilton. An honorary Co-Chair for the event will be The Rev. Dr. Fred R. Anderson who was the senior pastor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church in 1983 when Downtown Daily Bread was conceived. Dr. Anderson is currently the senior pastor of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City. Joining Rev. Anderson will be Co-Chair Raymond L. Gover, long time Pine Street Trustee and former publisher of the Harrisburg Patriot-News. Valerie Pritchett of ABC27 News will serve as emcee.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with an hour of mingling and music followed by a delicious dinner and a program including speakers, video, silent auction, and raffle.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join the celebration on October 6, 2013. The evening will be one of “Celebration and Education.” Tickets are available for $130 per person. Please note, tickets may be purchased by mailing a check, payable to Downtown Daily Bread or through the PayPal link on the DDB website at www.downtowndailybread.org. Our mailing address is DDB, 310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA. 17101.

Sponsorships and program advertising opportunities are available until mid September.

For further information, please contact Carlyn Chulick, 30th Anniversary Co-Chair, 717-648-5121, carlync2@aol.com.

September is Hunger Awareness Month...Join us in the fight against hunger.

Let Their Voices Be Heard

We welcome your suggestions, comments, and feedback.

Quote: "A change today, brings a dramatically different tomorrow.”

Author Richard Bach

HELP "LIGHT THE WAY" FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND A MEAL TODAY! JOIN DOWNTOWN DAILY BREAD'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

Sunday, October 6th 5:30PM

Special Guest, Dinner, Entertainment, and More!

Executive Director, Elaine Strokoff, testified on behalf of the underserved population at the Senate Judiciary Hearing on May 7, 2013. Elaine told of the difficulties of those living in poverty who could not afford to pay a lawyer for legal representation. She testified to the importance of legal aid and pro bono services to prevent homelessness and undue hardship for the working poor and disenfranchised. A video of the hearing and all submitted testimony can be accessed online at: http:/ www.palegalaid.net/news/plan-e-news/ pa-senate-judiciary-committee-holdspublic-hearing-civil-legal-representationindig

You Can Be A Part Of It…

30th Anniversary Celebration Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Celebrate 30 years of Downtown Daily Bread’s success & enable DDB to grow by completing and returning the form below:

Sponsorship Commitment Form ____ Fighting Hunger Hero ($10,000) ____ Platinum Platter Sponsor ($5,000) ____Gold Ladle Sponsor ($2500) ____ Silver Spoon Sponsor ($1000) ___ Bronze Soup Kitchen Patron ($500) ___ Daily Bread Friend ($250)

Name(s): __________________________________________________________________ Business: __________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: ____________ Zip: _________________ Phone: ______________________________ Email: ______________________________ Name as you wish it to appear in program: __________________________________________________________________

Order your tickets today online @ www.downtowndailybread.org or by submitting your ticket request form: Name: _____________________________ Address: ____________________________ ____________________________ Phone: ____________________________ ___ Please reserve my ticket(s) $130/ per person (payable to Downtown Daily Bread) ___ I won’t be able to attend, but want to make a contribution in celebration of DDB’s 30th Anniversary!

Don’t delay...RSVP deadline is 9/25/13

___ My check is enclosed (payable to Downtown Daily Bread) Downtown Daily Bread is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

Did You Know?

Soup kitchens have been providing nourishment to the poor and hungry since the eighteenth century. “Soup” became a popular staple when Count Rumford created a low-cost nutritionally sound soup for the Bavarian military. The popularity of Rumford’s soups spread across Europe initially to feed the army but were eventually used to feed the poor. The soup kitchen concept made its way to the United States . In 1802 The Humane Society of New York founded one of the earliest soup kitchens in this country.

The concept of soup kitchens hit the mainstream of U.S. consciousness during the Great Depression. Soup kitchens became a part of daily life for millions during the 1930’s. They were immortalized in numerous poems, songs, and stories. Al Capone, the famous Chicago mobster, sponsored a soup kitchen during the depression in an effort to clean up his image.

Soup kitchens waned, however, as government income support and food programs were established. In the early 1980’s, when numerous reports of increased hunger surfaced, kitchens once again opened in large numbers.

Downtown Daily Bread was one of those kitchens. DDB opened its doors in 1983 and thirty years later is serving more people than ever before. The rest is history! Elaine

Thank You Isn’t Enough!

We want to offer a special, rousing thank you to the DDB 30th Anniversary Co-Chairs Carlyn Chulick and Kristi Saul and to their advisor extraordinaire, Betty Hungerford. The 30th Anniversary Celebration would not be possible without these exceptional women and their expert leadership and expertise. We thank them and the legions of volunteers and committee members who have helped them make what will be a memorable event and special evening for all. The number of hours and effort planning the event cannot be measured. And we cannot offer enough thanks for all of their dedication and support during the past several months. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Elaine

Feeding Harrisburg’s hungry since 1983!

Summer At DDB

What Success Looks Like

During the initial “getting-used-to my-new position” as Outreach Coordinator to the homeless mentally ill, I would greet the many who come through the DDB doors, letting them know of services that are offered.

“Robert” came in for lunch and, occasionally, I would see him on the street walking around. I would say “Hi” and ask him if he was doing OK. He was initially mistrusting. After two months of these brief conversations, Robert walked into my office one day and said, “I can’t take this anymore.” Robert had lost his job about six months ago and had been homeless since that time. He told me he wanted to find a job but I noticed several steps that needed to be taken until this could happen. Over the course of two and a half months, Robert came in and visited me on a regular basis per my request. He has some difficulty completing government forms, but we were able to get his application for food stamps completed and more recently a job application. But smaller steps began with his completing an Intake session with the Case Management Unit. He has met with his new caseworker and has had an appointment with an outpatient counselor. He sleeps in a tent now and not outside, and still continues to visit me regularly. He will meet with a psychiatrist within the next two weeks. Our conversations are a little lighter and every now and again Robert smiles.

Success looks very different when working with the homeless, mentally ill or not. Caseworkers are more often than not, a cheerleader—working to keep the client positive through very slow steps dictated by a system that can move no faster. Success? 90% is based on a client’s attitude of hope in having something different such as a job, an apartment, a support system. Working with Robert these past two and a half months has been encouraging. As they say in Alcoholic Anonymous (AA)—you have to “work the Program in order for it to work.” Robert has stuck with it these past months and signs of success are there.

Cynthia Swanson

Creative Contribution

DDB recently received a donation connected to an inspiring, healthy story. In support of a co-worker’s weight loss, a group of the fellow co-workers made a contribution based upon the individual’s weight loss goal. This contribution seems uniquely fitting that others will be able to have adequate food while another has experienced wellness by decreasing his food intake.

What a wonderful example of social awareness this group demonstrated—serving those less fortunate while encouraging their co-worker on the achievement of reaching his healthier lifestyle goal. Reminds us all of how much can be gained by giving just a little.

Staying Connected Most people today lead busy, hectic lives despite the modern conveniences and technologies that are prevalent. We want to keep our supporters and volunteers informed about all the activities and happenings at DDB. We invite you to check out the DDB website at www.downtowndailybread.org

We can tell that school is out and that summer time is here because we are seeing a lot of children at Downtown Daily Bread. Last week, we gave out food vouchers to five families, all mothers with their children ages from three months to fifteen years old. While it is nice to see the children and their smiling faces, it is also a harsh reminder of how many children are still going hungry. Every time we give a food voucher we also tell the parents that they are welcome to bring their children to DDB for lunch. (This piece of information made the moms and dads very happy.) After the families get their food vouchers, they have to walk to Sixth St. to get their bags of food. It requires a lot of running around, especially when it is hot outside and you have young children with you.

In the month of July, DDB gave out 50 food vouchers. All 32 lockers were in use and there was a waiting list of 15 people. The number of people taking showers has risen, as well.

Approximately 100 showers are taken in a week.

Recently, we have helped three couples move into apartments.

One happy couple who just had their first child stopped by to let me see her. The other couples stopped back at DDB just to let us know that they are doing well. They all wanted to say thank you for helping them. That is such a wonderful feeling.

Christine Patrick

Our clients really miss desserts after their meals. Unfortunately, our source for “sweets” seems to have gone missing. If anyone wants a project, collecting (or baking) pastries, cakes, pies, brownies, etc., it would be most appreciated. It is a great idea for a youth group, senior group, or for anyone interested in a special ongoing project. Please call Brenda at 238-4717, ext.

125 to make arrangements. Everyone feels better after a little something sweet. Wouldn’t you agree? Thanks so much for your help!

DDB Wish List Please consider donating these much needed items. .Lunch Plus Wish List

Immediate need: Gently-used fall and winter clothing for men & women. Clothing should be in good, clean condition not older than 3-5 years. Almost new men’s socks & underwear.

Jackets, coats, hats, gloves, and blankets are also needed.

Desperate need: Bars of soap, large and small or liquid soap for the showers.

Always needed: Disposable razors, deodorant, shampoo, laundry detergent, women’s socks & underwear Kitchen Wish List #10 cans of soups, fruits, or vegetables; coffee; sugar; plastic forks and spoons; napkins; meats; turkeys; hams; and spices.

Remember, financial support is always needed and appreciated.

Please keep in mind that contributions are tax-deductible. Any contribution you can make will help us augment our income.

$2 pays for a meal - $10 = 5 meals, $50 = 25 meals, $100 = 50 meals Thanks to ACS (Art Communication Systems), for printing this newsletter. We are pleased to have a partnership with ACS! Harrisburg’s Premier Commercial Printing Service offers printing, graphic design, sales/marketing, & web development. Call Park Cook, ACS, @ 717-232-0144.

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