Meal Donations

Would you like to donate meals to the guests of Interfaith Work?

Right now, Interfaith Works is relying on the community to help us keep our guests safe! Every lunch or dinner we can provide help our guests shelter in place and slows the spread of COVID 19.

Unity Commons Meals

Meals make a huge difference!

Meals at Unity Commons
We need meal donations to support our 24/7 services and keep our guests safe. To feed everyone, we need about 60 servings, which can be safely homemade or ordered from a local restaurant.

This is a great way for families, church groups, community groups, etc. to support our most vulnerable neighbors. Our guests love high-quality meat, fresh veggies, fresh fruit, and delicious drinks. If your or your group can't commit to 60 servings, you can also sign up for 30 servings, leaving the other 30 open for another group. Please let us know using the form to the left! Please bring paper plates and utensils if possible.

If you are interested in donating meals through a restaurant or donating foodstuffs directly, we ask that you contact us directly through our volunteer form to talk through what that might look like. This contact form is monitored Monday through Thursday.

A huge thank you to our many community members who have helped us keep our guests fed and safe during this unsure time. 

Thank you!

Meal Donation FAQ

1. How do I sign up?

You can sign up using the "Donate a Meal" form! Be sure you look at the calendar of the location you're interested in donating to and find a meal and date that says "Needed". You just let us know which date you'd like and we'll get you entered into the calendar! You'll receive a confirmation email from our staff.

2. What days are available? Where do I go?

You can find out which days we need meals by looking at the calendar for the location you would like to bring the meal to! We have two shelters that we are currently trying to provide lunch and dinner at. On the day you signed up for, you bring the meal to the shelter, and call the shelter's telephone number, listed above the calendars below. One of our staff will come out and get the food. This is for the safety of our guests and community!

3. What sort of food should I make? How many servings should I make?

Our guests love healthy meals with meat, fruits, and veggies. Many of our guests are older, and may have difficulty with hard to chew or digest foods, so we recommend cooked vegetables, and softer fruits. Stews and soups are always popular! Our guests also love fruit juice, ice tea, and other beverages to have with their meals.

With 60 shelter beds, we know that many folks won't be able to cook for all of our guests at once. 30 servings is enough to cover half, with the intention that another volunteer or group could sign up for the other 30. 60 servings is enough for all of our shelter guests. This is enough to ensure that we have enough for every guest.

4. I want to help, but I can't cook.

That is a-okay! There are still ways you can make sure our guests get fed.
Many businesses in Olympia are could use some extra support right now, so consider the option of ordering food!

• We have worked with Pizza Time, 3 Magnets Brewing, and Well 80 and many others to provide meals to our shelters.
  
• You can also donate foodstuffs to us! Local organization Bowl of Hope has been cooking meals for our shelters and can use your food donations to provide hearty, healthy food to our guests.

If you want to do try out either of these options, you can let us know through the contact form

5. What about pans, plates, and utensils? What about extra food?

Due to Covid 19, we ask that food be delivered in disposable containers. This cuts down on exposure and items going back and forth to and from the shelters. W do have some paper plates, cups, bowls, and utensils, but it is very helpful if folks bring the disposable flatware and plates/bowls/cups needed to have the meal. If your meal requires a non-disposable pot or pan to serve, please label it so that we can get it back to you the next day.

All extra food is disseminated in our outreach efforts

Unity Commons Meal Calendar

161 Pattison Street NE, Olympia WA 98506
Telephone: 360-918-8424