Bring Some Books to the Lodge and Support a Great Cause!

Dear Residents,

Hello, my name is Averie.  I am a sixth grader at St. Aloysius grade school.  Every fall each student in my school completes a Social Justice service project.  This year, for my project I am holding a book drive for women and children in need.  If you would like to donate any new or used women’s and/or children’s books, there is a drop box in the lodge.  Books are being collected now through November 30^th.  On December 1^st, they will be taken to the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant (WCFR) for distribution to the restaurant patrons.  Thank you very much for any contributions you are able to make.

Sincerely,

Averie

Women’s & Children’s

Free Restaurant

Information about the WCFR:

Since 1988, the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant has been serving the needs of low-income women and children from their location at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 1620 N. Monroe St. The WCFR promotes good nutrition and healthy eating habits throughout their programs. It serves three meals a week, using real plates and utensils, instead of plastic.  Servers take meals to guests seated at tables as they would in a restaurant.  After serving meals, servers sit with guests and converse.

Over 100 guests and visitors attend dinner at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and about 150 to 200 come at 12:30 p.m. on Fridays.

In 2004, the Friday Take-Out Program began.  It addresses hunger over weekends when the restaurant and most agencies are closed.  After the Friday meal, guests can pick up fresh fruits and vegetables at a fresh food market in an adjacent dining room.  Volunteers accompany “shoppers” offer cooking tips for foods selected. Guests take fresh, prepared, or packaged food home. 

Two of the volunteers at Women’s & Children’s Free Restaurant have committed to providing books for both the women and the children that come to the Restaurant.  They beg, borrow (oh, no stealing) and solicit books wherever they can.  The books are kept on a bookshelf and the diners can take books home with no obligation to return them.  It’s just the hope that having the books available will encourage our patrons to read and perhaps even pass the books on to their friends.  They are always in need of donations – used, new or whatever can be obtained.