The Community – You!
Shobi’s Table is known by the community that is growing around the pay-as-you-can café – customers who come every week, new customers, kitchen volunteers, staff, and everyone who supports this ministry with generous prayer and gifts of time, talent and treasure. We want this community to reflect the diversity of the communities where we serve together and the ELCA churches throughout the St Paul Area Synod that come to claim their membership in Shobi’s Table. Just like every community – we start as strangers and continue on as friends, bonded together by the love of Jesus made manifest in every meal.
Staff
Deacon Kari Alice Olsen, Mission Developer, Director and Kitchen Manager
Kari Olsen is a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving with a specific eye towards food ministry. Kari discerned her call into the ministry while working in different kitchens, particularly while she was Food Service Coordinator at Holden Village – a remote Lutheran retreat center in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. There, she lived and grew in her understanding of the deep connection between the Communion Table and our own kitchen tables, revealing the love of God made edible in the food that nourishes our body and souls. Kari attended undergrad at Seattle Pacific University and received a Master of Arts in Ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Her first call was as the Kitchen Coordinator at Christ on Capitol Hill, where she helped guide a project to remodel their kitchen up to commercial standards, and connect the liturgical and service life of the congregation with food. She now serves as the Director and Mission Developer of Shobi’s Table, where her call to ministry means putting her faith and theology into daily practice.
Email – director@shobistable.org
Manager of Ministry Administration – Tina Vaughan
Tina is the Manager for Ministry Administration at Shobi’s Table. She keeps track of the finances, communication with our lovely supporters, and sees that the infrastructure of our day to day business is running smoothly. When not hard at work at a database, she is in the kitchen chatting with volunteers or out on the truck serving meals. Away from work Tina loves to spend time in nature and chilling with her family.
Email – business@shobistable.org
Community Engagement Manager – Eric Gustafson
BIO coming soon!
Email – community@shobistable.org
Digital Media Manager – Renee Roeber
Renee is our Digital Media Guru. They handle all things media – from design to social media. They love finding ways to make a menu that everyone can enjoy. In their home kitchen they are always creating new recipes that are allergen friendly. They are currently working remotely and living the adventurous life alongside their adventurous cat.
Board of Directors
(Email info@shobistable.org to connect with a board member)
Sandy Aslaksen – Chair
Kaarin Evans – Treasurer
Ann Beane – at large
John Hierlinger – at large
Steve Ostlie – at large
Kristen Kidder – at large
(Board positions are open! Email director@shobistable.org to inquire.)