As the weather has turned colder we have continued to serve daily carry-out meals to our guests. Last week we were able to begin an exciting partnership with Brewed Awakenings Cafe and Salt Springs Brewery, both located in Saline. These local restaurants are providing us with hot sandwiches each morning so that our guests can receive a hot meal all winter long. The owners of these restaurants have been wonderful to work with, and the joy on the faces of our guests when we were able to hand them each a delicious breakfast sandwich was truly something to see. 2020 has shown us how important living in community with one another is and this is just another example of what we can all accomplish working together. Both of these restaurants are open for carry-out right now. Please consider visiting them next time you are ordering in!
We have continued to serve breakfast to anyone in need every single day in 2020. While we cannot gather indoors, our volunteers and guests have still found remarkable ways to live in community this summer and fall. Our volunteers have been extremely consistent and they have gotten to know our guests in ways that just cannot happen under normal circumstances. We have been able to celebrate our guests returning to restaurant jobs and finding permanent housing prior to the weather turning cold. We were able to wish the Breakfast Program a happy 38th birthday together in August with pop-tarts and special cards in each breakfast bag. Most importantly, we have been able to maintain the consistency that everyone has craved in 2020.
Heading into the winter, breakfast will continue to be served as a carry-out meal until it is safe to gather in our dining hall again. We have installed an infrared heater outside the doors and we are working with the shelter association to ensure everyone’s needs are met this winter. This is not the way we would choose to head into the winter this year, but as always we will open our doors with hot coffee and smiles for all.
As we have now entered the holiday season I would like to share a poem that was left at breakfast several years ago by a guest. It is simply a reminder of why we do what we do. Enjoy.
Each day without fail you have provided a table
Each day without fail through rainstorm, blizzard, heat, cold
Each day without fail food and fellowship
An expression of the love of God
Ask and you shall receive
Each day without fail
Because of circumstance some of us sometimes have our faith in others challenged.
With each cup of coffee you awaken something inside
With each bowl of oatmeal you feed the hunger for compassion within
The apples and oranges, fruits of your kindness for all to share
Each day without fail
St. Andrew’s is morning sanctuary from criticism and despair,
an even greater blessing
A good way to begin each day without fail
Thank you, you remind me of something Jesus said:
“What you do unto the Least of mine, you do unto me.”
