- From the Director
- Sustaining The Table
- From Scratch 2024 Save the Date
- July Truck Schedule
Dear Friends of Shobi’s Table,
“It’s what gets me out of bed”
As we’ve increased our serving days, I’m not at the food truck as much as I used to be. We’ve got a whole slate of staff and volunteers on a rolling schedule taking care of the table and our people. When I do get to be there, I am often caught by the magic of the community. Near the end of our lunch hour things usually wind down, and sometimes I get to go eat my lunch with whoever is still around. Recently I got to sit with one of our regulars, who often comes multiple times a week. She’d been having a rough time, and was telling me how grateful she was for lunch at Shobi’s. “It’s what gets me out of bed sometimes,” she said. I had also been having a hard day, and in that moment of hearing her words, something in me began to turn. I felt honored to be the one she shared with, connected with her, and proud to be part of this Shobi’s community – where moments like this reassure me of why we do what we do. I told her how glad I was we got to be there for her, and her for us.
Planning for this year, we thought we’d be serving 200 meals per week. Since the beginning of May, our average has been 304! Just recently we served 371 meals in one week. It is times like this that I truly believe in the miracles of Jesus like the Feeding of the 5000. There have been times I’ve joked around that I get jealous of Jesus who somehow fed 5000 with only enough for a few. But then I experience our own miracles at Shobi’s Table, in weeks we were planning for what we thought would be a big group, and then by the grace of God feed even more. The salads stretch, the sandwiches are shared, and when we run out, it is often at the very end of service, and almost everyone has received something.
Another time when I was at our newest site, Rice & Larpenteur, I got to sit with a new lunch customer, Mark. He shared some of his story that he had been in hard times, but things were getting better now. He was using his time to help with care and transport for his grandkids. He said a pay-as-you-can meal from Shobi’s Table was particularly helpful, and he wondered if he could come to help in the kitchen sometime. I said of course, and told him how to sign up. I don’t know if Mark will actually have time to come help in the kitchen, but even if he doesn’t his heartfelt desire to be part of this growing community was palpable. He wanted to be connected, and so did I.
As we’re growing this summer, we need your support! There are lots of ways you can support us – you’ll see below a Summer Support Menu you can choose from. One of the best ways is to become a Sustaining Donor, by signing up to give an automatic monthly gift. Any amount helps! $10 pays for one meal, so consider sending us enough to help someone pay for 2, 5 or even 10 meals each month. For our regulars and our increasing number of new folks, this community café matters a great deal. It is where folks come to be fed with really good food, but also where they can trust that they are valued, respected and loved. It is where the miracle of the 5000 continues to happen.
Come to lunch and see for yourself!
Deacon Kari
4 Ways to Support Shobi’s Table
Order Boxed Lunch Catering from Shobi’s Table
Do you or someone you know often order boxed lunch for office meetings in the Twin Cities area? Shobi’s Table can supply! Click here to learn more about our catering program and submit a request.
Bring a friend to lunch at Shobi’s and give the suggested $10 donation for your meal! Check out our website to see where and when we serve.
When you sign up to become a monthly donor, you are helping Shobi’s Table become even more sustainable by letting us know we’ve got income we can count on! With the growing number of folks we’re serving, our monthly costs are increasing, and letting us know that we can count on your support is one of the best ways to help us do our ministry.
Are you a Thrivent member? You have access to two Thrivent Action Teams each year! They will give you up to $250 to help make an impact in the community, and working with Shobi’s Table is a great way to do that! It is a great way for you to help buy groceries and to-go materials for the ever increasing meals we serve! Click here to learn more about how to apply. Let us know if you would like assistance in filling out the application!
Save The Date: From Scratch
September 26th, 2024
Keep an eye out for for more information and registration to come later this month!
Where To Find The Big Blue Truck
