Bethlehem Inn Dinners
Our Mission The monthly Bethlehem Inn dinner supports members of our community in one of our basic human needs. We live the first two principles of UU, honoring the dignity of others with compassion and understanding.
Our Work With the involvement of 20-26 UUFCO volunteers, we prepare and serve a home cooked meal each month at Central Oregon’s homeless shelter, Bethlehem Inn. In addition to the delivery of a dinner, our connections are also smiles, laughter and conversation.
Our History and Impact Preparing and serving a monthly dinner on the fourth Thursday at Bethlehem Inn is UUFCO’s longest serving community outreach program. In 2008, the first winter Bethlehem Inn shelter moved into the double decker motel on Business 97, the area churches were invited to sign up to each prepare and serve a week of meals at Bethlehem Inn. What evolved from that week is now a monthly dinner. From the original small kitchenette and two subsequent temporary kitchens, our dinners are now served from a commercial kitchen where volunteers deliver their component of the same meal we’ve been serving since 2008. Our traditional meal of turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cupcakes, and milk is looked forward to by residents during their sheltered stay. The impact of over ten thousand meals goes beyond the physical nature of our ongoing program. We assist Bethlehem Inn staff in lifting a significant responsibility and financial load from their shoulders. Our volunteers are forever changed as we witness the hardship of our neighbors and discover a way to make a difference.
Where is Bethlehem Inn? The address is 3705 N Hwy 97, Bend, between Midas and Knecht’s Auto Parts.
How do I volunteer? It’s easy. There is a link in UUFCO’s weekly ACE (All Congregation Email) that will take you to the online www.signup.com calendar. If you have questions about the signup process, you can contact Leslie Koc, the dinner coordinator, at lesliekoc@gmail.com.
What are the volunteer opportunities? We have a traditional meal of turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, gravy, cupcakes, and milk. Each of these meal components are prepared in your home and then delivered ready to serve. Because we are feeding from 80 – 100 or more Bethlehem Inn residents, each meal component is broken down so it’s a doable task for each volunteer. For example, we have five or six volunteers to each prepare and bring six pounds of mixed vegetables. Each meal component has a description on the signup calendar.
How far in advance can I sign up to volunteer? We post the meals twelve months out. We have volunteers who sign up for several months at a time so they can secure the same volunteer spot they most enjoy. Or, we have volunteers who sign up for a different spot each month to experience the full meal. Our serving spots are regularly filled ahead.
What if I sign up for a future month and then find out I can’t do it on that date? Life happens. You just go back to your signup calendar or confirmation email and cancel it. Please cancel as early as you can so your spot can be filled.
I’d like to serve the dinner. What is that experience? You are one of three or four server volunteers who serve the meal beginning at 5:30pm. We ask that the servers arrive between 5:00 and 5:15pm to allow time for setup. The food volunteers will be arriving to deliver their meal components, most beginning at 5:00pm. You are requested to wear closed toe shoes to prevent injury. Bring an apron if you have one as they are sometimes in short supply at Bethlehem Inn. Masks are currently not required at Bethlehem Inn, and that is a personal option for you to wear one or not. When you arrive, you’ll wash your hands and put on food handler gloves for the remainder of the evening. Dinner serving usually concludes by 6:45pm. It is a rewarding and fun experience.
Can children serve? Children can serve alongside their guardian. They must be able to reach over the height of a counter to safely serve. We limit the number of children to one at each dinner unless it is two related children who can “pair” to serve together. Please add a comment that a child is accompanying their guardian when the adult signs up to serve.
Where do I deliver my food? Using the address above, drive up to one of the open parking places. The entrance is signed “Kitchen” and the door is usually propped open for you to enter during delivery time. There may be times when you’re delivering your food before 5:00pm. There is a bell next to the Kitchen door for someone to hear and respond.
How do I deliver my food? Deliver it ready to serve. If it’s the meatloaf, potatoes, or vegetables, they will go directly into one of the warming trays from which they be served. Most Sundays there are aluminum pans at the UUFCO kiosk before and after service. If none are there, you’ll find them stored in one of the kiosk lower cabinets. Some volunteers bring their food in their own pots, trays, or pans. Please be patient as we’ll need to empty your food into a warming tray or steamer while you wait. All the warm food is temped to ensure that it is within the Dept of Health guidelines.
How do I remember what I sign up for? As soon as you conclude your signup on www.signup.com, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Then again, a few days before the dinner, you’ll receive a reminder. You can always contact Leslie Koc, Bethlehem Inn dinner coordinator, at lesliekoc@mail.com or 541-633-0090.
Thank you for considering volunteering! It’s an experience that you’ll never forget and will have a positive and caring impact in your community.
Sign up to volunteer | Contact Bethlehem Inn Team | Contact Social Justice
