A 3-Peat of Dinner Service
A group of us, nicknamed the "Muirfield Ladies of Inverness," learned last year about the PADS Shelter at All Saints Lutheran Church (Palatine) from one of its parishioners and fellow Women's Club of Inverness (WCI) member, Diane Gylling. She and her husband Rick are active volunteers for All Saints program. One of 18 faith-based emergency shelters that supports Journeys | The Road Home program, All Saints offers warm, dry, secure shelter along with nutritious food to those men and women, including occasional children, arriving at their door every Saturday from October through April
Joining me both years on this project to provide the complete dinner are Susanne Glazbrook, Tricia Gregory, Penny Orlowski and Trina Toms. Recently, there was extra help in the kitchen from Susanne's daughter. Sarah Glazbrook, an eighth-grader at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, who made soup and bread for two dinners. Her mother, Susanne commented, "It was a great way to combine things Sarah loves: cooking, serving those in her community and kindness. I was grateful for the time together, shopping, cooking and chatting in the kitchen." Susanne also shared with us that Sundling Junior High School's National Junior Honor Society students commit to high standards of leadership, service, scholarship, character and citizenship which provides an opportunity for students to understand and develop as caring members of the community.
All our PADS dinners are homemade, many times using family or favorite recipes, and sometimes we cook as a group because we don't believe there can ever be too many cooks in the kitchen! Last year we provided 3 dinners, and this year the first two dinners kicked off the December holiday season and start of 2019; group consensus was that it was the perfect way to show appreciation for our own blessings. Menu and assignments have already been confirmed for our final dinner this season on March 23. The tremendous appreciation from the PADS volunteers when we deliver the dinner is humbling. We feel our contribution is a small effort compared to all their good work in bringing comfort, care, and hope to the PADS guests.
Whether you are able to provide a prepared meal, donate groceries, or volunteer your time, please consider supporting the PADS program. We believe you will find it very rewarding. For information about getting involved with the All Saints PADS program, please call the church office, (847) 991-2080, or send an email to PADS@AllSaintsPalatine.org.