Bring & Serve Dinner at Operation Hope Shelter

Groups are asked to provide a fully prepared meal for about 50 people living in this homeless shelter for women and their children.  This is an essential part of Operation Hope’s success!  There is a partial kitchen with outlets, refrigerator, microwave and a convection oven to make final food preparations.

How much and what type of food should I prepare?   Plan for enough cooked/prepared food for about 50, at least half are children. A more accurate number will be sent out the week of your dinner service.  We encourage good nutrition, so when possible, please bring vegetables and proteins.

What drinks should we bring? Drinks: please bring 1 gallon of milk and 50 water bottles.

Easy meal suggestions:  Click Here!

Can we make the meal at home? Unfortunately, no. New food regulations dictated by the California Health and Safety Code have changed the way food is to be served. The entire meal preparation must be made in a COMMERCIAL KITCHEN. Examples: Costco, Grocery Store Deli, Winco, Restaurants, etc.). We have some EASY suggestions for you to make this very feasible.

What else should I bring?  Paper products are always greatly appreciated: paper plates, bowls, napkins, cups, forks, knives, spoons and serving utensils. Dessert is optional, however a fresh fruit salad is very popular.

When is dinner served?  Volunteers should arrive by 5:10 pm or earlier and be prepared to serve dinner by 5:30pm. Most groups are finished by 6:30pm. Residents will clean-up any containers and leftovers that remain. They are often packed up and enjoyed for lunch the next day.

Can we chat with the residents?  Yes! We encourage you to sit and chat with the residents while they eat. Take some time to make connections and learn more about their lives.

What kitchen amenities are available?  A convection oven with 5 racks, a microwave, refrigerator and hand washing sink are available.  It is not a full kitchen; there is no stovetop, no hot pads, cookie sheets or kitchen utensils.  If you need any of these, please bring them from home.  Food may be re-heated in the oven, but nothing raw can be cooked onsite.

Examples of what may be heated up in the convection oven onsite:  Lasagna (meat must be pre-cooked), Enchiladas (with pre-cooked chicken).  Frozen pizzas, frozen burritos, Hot Pockets, macaroni and cheese casserole, chicken fettuccine alfredo casserole.  ***Raw meat and eggs cannot be cooked in the kitchen as it is not a commercial kitchen and does not meet the health code requirements. Please remember that all food must be commercially prepared prior to bringing it to the shelter.  Please allow extra time and arrive early if you plan to use the convection oven.

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Bonus Opportunity!!!  Stay for Kids HOPE Club:  M-F 7-9pm. If you’re interested in staying after dinner to volunteer a few hours at the Kids HOPE Club, please let me know.  We are looking for volunteers to be a positive mentor during Kids HOPE Club when parents are in evening classes.  Groups may play with the kids, share skills in arts and crafts, dance, and many other possibilities. Children are 0-16 yrs.  All members of the group will need to attend a short orientation immediately following the dinner service.

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