Sunday afternoon meals for the homeless were almost non-existent until now, as Savory Sundays, the name of an informal program designed to feed the homeless, provides free prepared meals to the needy between 3 and 5 p.m. at the Madison Public Library on 201 W. Mifflin St.
In a recently formed alliance with the Community Action Coalition, Savory Sundays volunteers will be able to provide free meals to the homeless on a day many community food services do not operate.
Started by Madison resident and MATC student Paul 'Pablo' Hendrickson, Savory Sundays started on a whim back in October of 2005. Discussing ideas on community change on Saturday night, Hendrickson and his friends decided to make and pass out pancakes the next day.
'We wanted to do something to help the city's homeless, and a lot of people in that position don't eat on Sundays,' he said. This first Sunday of free meals became a weekly tradition, and months later, more than 40 volunteers now lend a hand.
'It's a really great experience,' Hendrickson said. 'Its friends working together to help people.'
With support from the Community Action Coalition, prepared meals are now available for the group to serve.
'It's been a goal of ours to increase the amount of prepared food donors, but now we are getting food in amounts that we are having trouble distributing,' said Chris Brockel, coordinator of the Food & Gardens Division at CAC. 'Working with Savory Sundays is a benefit all around.'
'Hopefully we can provide technical assistance to them and their non-profit certification along with organizational help, food storage and safety,' said Brockel. 'We can also offer help in grant writing and other administrative tasks.'
Volunteers inquires can e-mail paul6@ekit.com.
