Fall 2016 Issue 29
DDB Mission:
Feed the hungry & provide services for the homeless of Harrisburg.
Inside This Issue:
Soup Showdown
Sponsorship Opportunities
Drop-In Center Update
Emergency Serving
Client Story
Wish Lists
Downtown Daily Bread 310 N. Third Street Harrisburg PA 17101
www.downtowndailybread.org www.facebook.com/
DowntownDailyBread
717-238-4717
Elaine Strokoff
Executive Director
Kobie White
Kitchen Manager
Contega Hodges
Part-Time Cook
Christine Patrick Client Counselor
Selma Sanders-West Drop-In Center Counselor
Cheryl Hawkins Career Counselor
Cynthia Swanson
Mental Health Outreach Counselor
Linda McGuire
Newsletter Editor
DDBAdvisoryBoard
Chris Baldrige
Elaine Blass
Carlyn Chulick
Georgia Lee Coffman
Marianne Fischer
Jonathan Freeman
Lee Freeman
Kate Harner
John Jewett
Lisa Landis
David Saurman
John Van Allen
From The Director
I would like to share a story with you as told by the mother of a young child:
“One day my daughter was late coming home from school. I was both annoyed and worried. When she came through the door, I demanded that she tell me why she was late.
‘Mommy, she said, ‘I was walking home with Amy when she dropped her doll and it broke into little pieces.’ “Oh, honey, I replied, you were late because you helped Amy pick up the pieces and put the doll together.” In her young and innocent voice, my daughter said,
“‘No, Mommy! I didn’t know how to fix the doll. I just stayed to help Amy cry.’”
At Downtown Daily Bread, we listen to the men and women who come to the soup kitchen. Sometimes we feel like crying with them. In an ideal world, we could “fix” everything and “put all of the pieces together.” Unfortunately, that is not possible because there are so many pieces of a fragmented, broken life. We can start, however, by filling the hole of hunger by serving a person a hearty, nutritious meal. After that, other physical, mental, or emotional needs can be met. DDB counselors are available to listen to clients and help them find a course of action which addresses individual needs.
The counselors can also determine if someone is suffering from drug or alcohol abuse or mental illness and help them find appropriate resources in the community.
The roots of poverty including abuse, neglect, illiteracy, and generations of living below the poverty line - can break the human body and the human spirit. Downtown Daily Bread has the job of trying to put the pieces together. We do not have the luxury of crying with our clients, but we can work to help make them whole again, one piece at a time.
You can become an active part of the DDB mission by attending the DDB Soup Showdown on October 23, 2016. Become a sponsor, attend the event, show support, and have a good time! It is the perfect recipe to give back while helping others move forward. I can not wait to see you there! Best wishes, Elaine
DDB Drop-In Center Update
This September, the DDB Drop-In Center will mark its first year of operation. On average, 15-30 people use the center each day for shelter from the elements. Homeless men and women are able to use the bathroom; see a nurse; speak with a counselor; use the computer; do crossword puzzles; or watch TV. Some individuals, who work at night, are able rest safely on a cot, with their possessions secure beside them. DDB is glad to be providing this service; the only one of its kind in the city.
Counselor, Selma Ward, shares this individual success story: “Last fall, when he came to DDB as a client, Joey (not his real name), had been sleeping on the ground between a rows of hedges near a church. Sleeping on the ground in all kinds of weather aggravated a back injury from a past job. One day, while at the DDB Soup Kitchen, Joey heard about the Drop-In Center and began visiting it regularly. After speaking with me, he learned about AARP and opportunities for “over 55” workers. One day, Joey signed into the Drop In Center as a client on a Friday and became a paid AARP “Activity Aide” worker the following Monday. Joey can now afford an apartment and is no longer homeless. He lives with a roommate in a furnished apartment on a quiet street in a safe neighborhood.”
Joey’s next challenge was the long walk several miles to and from work. Selma provided Joey with a bus pass and referred him to the Share-a-Ride Program to help him get to work and to doctors’ appointments. Joey’s health has improved and he is better able to care for himself. Joey explains, “Coming to DDB and the Drop-In Center has completely changed my life! God has truly blessed me. I have met people who care about me and care about helping people like me. Now, I am off the streets and I work in a job that allows me to help others who are going through what I went through. I feel so blessed to be able to give back to others.”
DDB helps men and women become “whole” and self-sufficient. The Drop-In Center, the Soup Kitchen, and the Lunch Plus program all work to make it possible.
Downtown Daily Bread Soup Showdown
Featuring Harrisburg Dueling Chefs
Don’t miss this night of tasty entertainment!
Sunday, October 23, 2016 Country Club of Harrisburg
5:30pm 8:30pm
The Country Club of Harrisburg will be brimming with delicious smells from the creations by some of Central Pennsylvania’s best chefs as they compete for the title of Best Soup Chef 2016.
Auction items: Vacation condos in Aspen; Cabo San Lucas; and Ft. Myers. Raffle items include jewelry, original art, gift baskets, and more.
Join us...dinner will include heavy appetizers, wine, beer, selection of soups, bread, salad, dessert, coffee. Help to insure that no one in our community goes hungry.
Support Downtown Daily Bread by ordering your tickets now.
DDB Soup Showdown Ticket Order Form IwanttoattendDDBSoupShowdown!
Name: ____________________________
____ 2 Tickets for $200
____ 1 Single Ticket for $125
____ I can’t attend, but I’d like to make a donation
Payment Options:
_____ Enclosed is my check payable to DDB
Order tickets online at www.downtowndailybread.org
Soup is considered to be as old as the history of cooking. When food is scarce or people are hungry, what better way to feed a large number of people than to combine various ingredients into a large pot to create a nutritious, filling meal? Soup kitchens started in America around the time of the Great Depression in order to feed the roughly 25% of the population that was unemployed.
Down Daily Bread continues this tradition of providing sustenance to Harrisburg’s hungry and homeless. DDB believes that self-sufficiency and the road to becoming a contributing member of society begins with a healthy body. Food is the basis for the health of the body and the mind; therefore, the perfect theme for this fundraising event.
Chefs from Char’s, Vrai, The CC of Harrisburg, and a “mystery” chef will create a hearty soup based upon ingredients commonly used in DDB Chef Kobie White’s soup lunches. Each chef will add his own touches and special ingredients to make what he thinks is the “Best Soup!” Every guest will then have the opportunity to vote for the “Best” soup choice. What fun!!!
DDB Soup Showdown Sponsorship Form
Name(s): ___________________________________
Business: ___________________________________
Address __________________________________________
City: ______________________ State: ____ Zip: ____________
Phone: ________________________
Email: ________________________
Tickets will be available at Will Call, they will not be mailed. Tickets are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Thank You So Much!
DDB sends a big Thank You to event sponsors who have already committed to making the Soup Showdown a Huge success! A sponsorship list will be available and updated on the DDB website. There is still time and space to add your name, business, or organization as a sponsor. You can assist us with the DDB missionof feeding the hungry by supporting this important fundraising event.
Name as you wish it to appear in program:
Sponsorship Levels: ____ Fighting Hunger Hero ($10,000)
____ Platiumn Platter ($5,000) ____ Gold Ladle ($2,500) ____ Silver Spoon ($1,000) ___ Bronze Soup Kitchen ($500) ____ Daily Friend ($250)
Please check the DDB website for a list of benefits included with each sponsorship level .
Payment Options:
____ Enclosed is my check payable to DDB
Please mail completed form and check to: Downtown Daily Bread 310 N. Third St., Harrisburg, PA 17101
Order tickets online at www.downtowndailybread.org
Downtown Daily Bread is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.
Sponsorship Deadline: Friday, October 7, 2016
Contact Jonathan Freeman @ Jonathan.Freeman@ stonebridgeFG.com or Elaine Strokoff @ estrokoff@pinestreet.org for additional sponsorship details.
Emergency Serving
These pictures tell the story of Downtown Daily Bread never closing. In the early morning of May 23, a valve in the upstairs bathroom malfunctioned, causing water to run for an extended period of time into the dining room below. When the cook arrived to prepare lunch, 2 inches of water sat on the floor, and the ceiling had collapsed. That day, lunch was served outside. Not even a flood can close DDB! After two weeks of serving lunches in the upstairs gym, the repairs were completed, and lunch was once again served in the dining room.
“…And the walls came tumbling down.”
Sue (not her real name) was doing great! She had a wonderful job working for the State of Pennsylvania and had a nice apartment for her and her two children. After a brief period of homelessness, due to a family breakup, life was finally coming together. But, the unthinkable happened. The building that she had recently moved into had structural problems. Sue was one of the unfortunate people who was affected when the side of their apartment’s parking lot collapsed down a long embankment. After a city inspection, all tenants were told they had 15 days to vacate the property before the building would be condemned. Sue and her family were devastated. She had just paid for that month’s rent. The landlord said that refunds would take 30 to 60 days. In shock and disbelief, Sue came to Downtown Daily Bread after unsuccessfully asking family members for shelter and finding no one who had room for all of them. Sue found a new apartment, but did not have the security deposit. After I spoke with Sue’s father and other family members, made inquiries and investigated options, DDB was able to help Sue with her apartment’s security deposit.
To say that Sue was overjoyed, is an understatement. As a single, working mother of two school aged children, Sue needed security for herself and her family. Downtown Daily Bread helped her find it. The pieces are coming together.
Chris DDBCounselor
Did You Know?
DDB served 6,787 meals during April, May & June
Stay connected with us on Facebook. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and feedback.
DDB Wish List
Financial Support: Always the Best Gift! When you support DDB financially, we are ableto maximize those funds collectively by making more economical purchases. With your donations,$2 pays for onemeal;$50 for 25 meals; $100 for 50 meals, etc. Please consider sponsoring a meal with your family, friends, or business.
Suggested Food Items:
Ham, Turkeys, #10 Cans Fruits, Vegetables, and Soups, Spices, Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, Salt, and Pepper
Non-Food Items: Styrofoam Cups and Bowls, Plastic Forks and Spoons, Napkins, Deodorizers (solid& spray) Kitchen Towels and Steel Wool Pads
Lunch Plus:
Laundry Soap Pods, Soap,Wash Cloths, Razors, Bath Towels, Men’s Socks and Underwear (Boxers), Kitchen & Bath Towels
Drop-In Center Rolling TV Cart
Our closet is almost EMPTY! In addition to feeding Harrisburg's homeless every single day, DDB also provides access to clean clothing and hygienic supplies. Come on...bet you've got some clothes laying around taking up space that you just don't wear anymore!
We are in need of men's and women's clothing in good condition, all sizes!
Hunger Facts
Hunger is still an issue that affects millions of Americans every year. 1in 6 Americans live on incomes that put them at risk for hunger. Nearly 1 in 5 children in America lives in households that struggle to put food on the table.
