ham and hairnets

I recently spent a sunday afternoon serving meals at a soup kitchen in suburban Chicago. Some gals from my church, some who went to Guatemala, came along. We threw 45 pounds of ham, eight gallons of milk, four cans of vegetables and two crates of oranges in the trunk of Fran’s car and headed off on our adventure.  I was in the front seat and did not realize this meant I would be the navigator.  Had I know, I would have worn my glasses!   Somehow we arrived on time and the folks at A Just Harvest put us to work. 

Maybe it was the hairnet squeezing the blood supply to my brain, but I have never laughed so hard.  I’m learning that much like writing, serving feeds my soul in a way that Fritos don’t.  Although, a little salt and fat is sometimes called for.   Thankfully, I was put to work slicing ham and not put in charge of steaming it.  Fran and Mary had that job and their pores were treated to a pork facial!  After being bossed around in the kitchen we were put on “the line” to serve it.  We dished up 185 plates in 60 minutes.  I thought I might need rotator cuff surgery after spooning piles of pasta.   And for some reason, whenever plastic sanitary gloves are required and no scratching is allowed, I suddenly start to itch all over!  

So many people came through those doors.  Young, old, men, women and children, some who looked like my own…it was very humbling.  One of the two paid staff members gave a blessing before the meals were served and reminded everyone that “this is not Burger King and you don’t get it your way!”  Funny, my Dad used to say that.  I think I’ll start to use it in my own kitchen.

September 29, 2011. Uncategorized.