QUUF’s Support for the Emergency Shelter

Through our Housing Action Team we have committed to providing dinner 4-5 nights/month at the Emergency Shelter housed at the American Legion Building, corner of Water and Monroe Street.

Meals can be purchased, or prepared in QUUF’s “donor kitchen”. Funds for the meal come from team members, though volunteers are welcome, even if they cannot contribute financially.  We are working to set up a way for people to contribute financially, to spread the cost across more congregants.

The evening is divided into 2 parts:

Cooks: Someone on the team plans the meal and purchases the ingredients. Volunteers assist in preparing the food. 3:00-5:00 approximately. We are asked to bring a gallon of milk and ½ gallon of juice. Make a list for servers of QUUF pots and dishes, so they will be returned.

Servers: This team delivers the food to the shelter, serves it, shares the meal with the guests and cleans up. We also pack lunches for the next day. We do not provide the lunch food. 5:30-7:00 approximately.

• Some cooks enjoy also being on the serving team. 3:00-7:00.
• Orientation in the kitchen and at the shelter is provided.
• Each team needs someone with a food handler’s card, both in our kitchen when preparing and in the shelter kitchen when serving. This is completed on line, at a cost of $10. It is good for 2 years. QUUF will cover the cost if that is helpful. A copy is needed in the QUUF binder and at the shelter.
• We suggest 3 cooks, 3 servers (sometimes the same people.)
• Cost of the meal is divided between team members, cooks and servers. Anyone not able to contribute financially can speak to the team lead or Kathy or Julia. Your volunteer time is enough. Meal costs have been to $80-120.
• Dinner consists of a main dish, vegetable side dish, bread or bread substitute. And dessert is appreciated. This food can be bought prepared, and heated at the shelter, or prepared in our QUUF kitchen. Only baked goods can be made at home.
• Consideration should be made for vegetarians. The main dish can have meat, as long as the side and bread are vegetarian. Cheese can be added for the bread or side dish.
• Dinner is served between 5:45 & 6, delivered between 5:15 & 5:30.
• Servers and Shelter staff are fed in addition to guests. You will be told before your night how many to plan for.
• Servers return pans and bowls to QUUF kitchen.

Sign Up Suggestions:

• You can sign up as an individual or as a group.
• Covenant & Affinity Groups have enjoyed this as a service project.
• Teams and Committees can sign up.
• You can grab a few friends or family members to create a team.

There are 2 ways to sign up:

1. Foyer clipboard, table by the south door.
2. Contact these people:
   Katherine Stevenson (360-385-4565) – to sign up
   Julia Cochrane organizes servers (360-821-1926 – text or call)

“Volunteering to feed people who are unhoused at the Jefferson County Emergency Shelter is a profoundly impactful act of compassion that addresses both immediate needs and broader social issues. It provides essential nourishment and care to individuals who are struggling with food insecurity and homelessness, offering them not just a meal but a moment of dignity and human connection.”
~ Bayside Housing and Services website

Once You have Signed Up to Provide a Meal

If you signed up as an individual: you will be contacted by the lead for that evening’s dinner, or a Shelter Coordinator.

If you signed up as a team:

• Indicate who is the contact person
• Determine who holds or will obtain a food handler’s card. A copy of the certificate should be in the Kitchen binder.
• Determine if you need training in the kitchen.
• If you will NOT be using the QUUF kitchen (purchasing and heating at the shelter), let Katherine know so she can cancel the kitchen reservation on the calendar.

Each group is responsible for purchasing the items needed for their dinners. There may be some available funds donated by congregants. When we know the total cost of the meal, we will make a suggested donation. No one should feel obliged to contribute financially, if it doesn’t fit your budget.

If a different group is serving the meal, be sure you are connected with the lead of that team.

A volunteer meal record will need to be completed by your team.  See below.

The QUUF Kitchen is reserved from 3-6. If you want to get in sooner, that is likely possible, just check the calendar. We keep the kitchen pretty tidy, but no guarantees that the knives are sharp. Feel free to bring your own. After clean up, you may leave clean dishes on the drying rack to air dry.

Information the Shelter Needs at the End of Our Week

Name of leader and team members:
Date:
Menu:
Ingredients purchased from:
Meal Prep location:
Total Cost:
Number of hours spent:

Servers at the Shelter

Thank you for volunteering; connecting with the guests at the shelter is rewarding as well as instrumental in heightening their sense of belonging and dignity.

• Be sure you know who is preparing the meal. Plan on picking up the meal between 5:15 and 5:30pm.
• Upon entering the shelter, complete forms.
• You may want to mask; it is optional.
• Wash your hands upon arrival and often. Learn and follow good hygiene practices. The Food Handlers Certificate provides great info.
• Serve folks, then serve yourself and sit with others.
• Learn from the staff monitors or QUUFers what the dishwashing procedure is.
• Learn from the staff or QUUFers where the ingredients are for making lunches for the next day.
• Generally we do not leave leftovers. Servers can take home or check with shelter staff or Julia.
• Bring QUUF pots and dishes back to the QUUF kitchen.
• Sign up for another shift!

QUUF Shelter Coordinators:

Katherine Stevenson (360-385-4565)

Julia Cochrane (360-821-1926 – text or call)

This page last updated October 3, 2025