Beginning August 1, Faith Cafe, South Tampa Ecumenical Ministries’ (STEM) outreach to the homeless and hungry, began offering dinner on Sunday evening, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., at its 1340 South Clearview Avenue location. STEM member churches are rotating the Sunday supper service. St. John’s could be one of those churches if we are able to assemble a Sunday team in the future. In the meantime, those who want to volunteer at Faith Cafe but are unable to do so on Fridays may want to consider volunteering with one of the other teams. Even if you have not volunteered before, joining in on one of the Sundays would give you some great on-the-job training.
In addition, Faith Cafe’s Shower Program, after two years of planning, began offering showers in its new mobile shower on July 31. It is now possible for guests to sign up for a 15 minute shower between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Initial response from guests to both the Sunday dinner and Shower Program has been enthusiastic.
In addition, your St. John’s STEM representatives, Mary Jane Schenck and Sally Wiley, would like to thank St. John’s faithful volunteers, who throughout the summer, served lunch at Faith Cafe on the 3rd and 4th Fridays of each month. At the head of our team is Daily Coordinator Nicholas Nitch, assisted by Leslie Hanlon, Sally Olsson, David Wheaton, Elizabeth Strong, Edwin Mills, Madeleine Tellekamp, Laura Silva, Kathleen Moore, Maria Howey, Darryl and Cynthia Petters, Mary Jane Schenck, Sally Wiley and Gwen Schabacker, who picked up the food at Metropolitan Ministries as well as serving in the kitchen. We are also grateful to Mary Beth Carastro who volunteers as a substitute daily coordinator when needed, and to the volunteers from other churches, particularly Palma Ceia Presbyterian and Christ the King, who show up faithfully on our Fridays, too.
To learn more about Faith Cafe and its services to the homeless, or to sign up to volunteer for a third or fourth Friday or any Sunday go to volunteers@faithcafe.com or contact Mary Jane Schenck (mjschenck@ut.edu or 545.1686) or Sally Wiley (wiley48sm@gmail.com or 253.3906).