December 2022

During this season of thanks and joy, we at the Peace Dale Dinner Table (PDDT) give thanks for all the wonderful members of this church and community who give so generously of their time, talent and treasures to make this PDCC mission successful. As a result of your generosity, we are able to provide free, nutritious meals to our neighbors in need. With the participation of many volunteers, we prepare and deliver almost 200 meals each Wednesday and Friday to local individuals and families. Since January 2022, the PDCC team has served 8,285 meals just on Wednesdays.  

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All who have shepherded this mission are so pleased at how others have embraced this work.  PDDT volunteers bring friends into the fold, and we have been joined by high schoolers. Almost two years ago, our brothers and sisters in Christ from St. Francis of Assisi’s chapter of St. Vincent de Paul joined us. That meant that our outreach literally doubled. Our colleagues from SVDP do the cooking and delivery of meals on Fridays, out of the PDCC kitchen.  In November, the Narragansett chapter of the NFWC Women’s Club of South County joined our efforts. This enthusiastic group cooked their first meal on November 8th and will be cooking, serving and even delivering meals once each month. Not only does their help give PDCC volunteers a week off, it spreads the Dinner Table mission further into the community.

 

The work of the Dinner Table has been further validated by some generous donations from the Rotary Club, as well as a $1000 anonymous donation. As of this writing we await word on our application for a Grow Hope Grant from the Women’s Club.  We also were the recipients of a huge amount of tuna, caught right off our coast, donated to the Jonnycake Center and then donated to us.  All of that is in addition to the generosity of those who give annually and/or monthly to this mission, as well as those who support the St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser and the golf tournament. We at the PDDT are so thankful.

 

The Dinner Table not only feeds the tummies of all whom we serve, but feeds the souls of those wanting to help others. Our intergenerational group of volunteers continues to grow; they work side by side cutting bread, serving meals and delivering food to cars.  Our reservation system, so carefully monitored by Val Lowell provides us with the data needed to cook and deliver meals.  Our drivers, runners, packers and servers ensure that everyone gets their meal. 

 

It is humbling to learn from our clients what a difference these meals make in their lives.  A recent message in response to a Facebook posting about one of our dinners stated that not only were the meals delicious, receiving the PDDT dinners had helped this woman’s family during a very tough time.  Another family has let us know how much they count on these meals to get them through the week.  On occasion, we receive a call from someone whose meal has not yet been delivered. Their fear that they have been missed is palpable. Time and again, God lets us know that PDCC’s mission and outreach to the community is making a difference to the vulnerable (and often invisible) among us. 

 

Please consider contributing to the Peace Dale Dinner Table as PDCC’s Mission of this Month.

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You can donate by sending a check to Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia Street, Peace Dale, RI 02879 and writing "Dinner Table" in the memo section of your check, or by using electronic giving options as described on this website.