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
Development Associate and Kitchen Assistant – Daniele Maeder
Email – development@shobistable.org
Daniele is back with Shobi’s Table after taking a year and a half to work with seniors at a local nursing home. She is a single mom to two amazing young men and is preparing herself for a truly empty nest at the end of this school year when her youngest graduates. She loves crafting and creating, gardening indoors and out, cooking, and collecting tiny things. She’s looking forward to learning more about fundraising and grant writing and supporting the mission of Shobi’s Table however she can. She’ll see you at the truck!!
Community Engagement Manager – Eric Gustafson
Email – community@shobistable.org
I joined the Shobi’s staff in June as the Community Engagement Manager, which means that I get to spend time with visitors of all stripes to our truck, with volunteers and donors, and anyone else with ears willing to hear about the work we do. (I also chop a lot of onions.) Every day with Shobi’s is a new adventure of trying to understand and assist the mysterious movement of the Spirit.
I have spent most of my life running a tree nursery/garden center/landscape business in my east-central MN hometown. I recently remarried after 10 years as a widower, moved across the street from St. Paul, and am in the process of passing along the family business to my nephew, Michael.
My wife, Katy, works as a writer and researcher in energy. I have two adult daughters who live nearby but I don’t get to see as often as I like, which probably means they are doing well. In my spare time I really, really enjoy napping, Scrabble, hockey and thinking about home improvement projects.
I hope to see you soon at the truck!
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.)