The vast majority of all the food used to feed the low income and needy among us through our Anti-Hunger Programs are donated.  Volunteers from faith communities, organizations, clubs, corporations and individuals helped prepare and serve the meals.  God Bless them all!

 

The Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) 'Holiday Meals' Program was created to bring hope and a hot meal to those who need it most the lonely, the poor, the unwanted, the homeless, or the silently needy who through fear or pride are unable to reach out or ask for help they need.  The meals are provided at no cost to our guests.

 

Long before the scheduled holidays, volunteers and staff are actively donating their time to make a big difference in the lives of these very special people.  They gather at our Drop-in-Center in Somerville to help gather and prepare the donated holiday food items; turkeys, hams, breads, etc., that they may personally serve to needy families, individuals on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or Easter Sunday.

 

The 'Holiday Meals' are served at the United Reformed Church, 100 West Main Street, in Somerville.  The church, has a long history of partnership with SHIP and has graciously served as the host for the 'Holiday Meals Program' since Christmas Day, 1991.  Since we began providing SHIP's Holiday Meal Program, with the grace of God, we have served over 10,800 meals to our holiday guests.

 

The average attendance at our 'Holiday Meals' events is usually around 250 with another 150 requests for meals packed to go.  Anyone in need in the Somerset County Region is welcome to join us.

 

Every year, the Holiday Meals Program nourishes the spirit for both volunteers, staff and recipients, bringing hope to the hopeless, food to the hungry, joy to the forgotten.  It leaves an indelible memory of good service for everyone involved.

 

We do have some openings for the Christmas Holiday Meal and the Easter Sunday 2010 Holiday Meal and are currently taking volunteer reservations for the event.  We are also currently booking for Thanksgiving Day 2010 and are currently 1/3 full.  Please call early to register to volunteer for Thanksgiving 2010. 

 

Thanksgiving Day is normally the holiday most in demand for people desiring to volunteer.  As usual we have more than enough people that have pre-registered to volunteer to set up, prepare and serve the meal to our guests this Thanksgiving.  We give thanks for the 70 people that will be helping us on Thanksgiving Day and for the hundreds of other volunteers that we were unable to accommodate this Thanksgiving Day.  God bless you all!

 

• Each Holiday Meal requires a crew of 60 volunteers.

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• Volunteers must register in advance to participate. 

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• Volunteers are scheduled to begin service at 11:00 am and we are ready to depart by 2:30 pm.

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• The 'Holiday Meals' are served at the United Reformed Church, 100 West Main Street, in Somerville. 

 

 

 

Salad Crew in action at Holiday Meals

 

 

 

The Holiday Meals are held on:

 

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

Easter Sunday