Our Needs
We have four fundamental needs at The Ladle and the Hearth:
Volunteer Groups
We are always seeking additional churches, synagogues, and organizations to take charge of a complete meal at The Ladle and the Hearth. The ideal volunteer team is a group of 5 to 8 dependable and outgoing individuals who plan the menu, purchase the food, prepare the meal at home, serve the meal, and clean the kitchen and dining room after the meal. Sustainability is a key issue for The Ladle and the Hearth. Spreading the opportunity to serve amongst a larger base of volunteer groups adds diversity and keeps everyone fresh and motivated. Each volunteer team should be prepared to commit to at least two, but not more than four servings per year. Some churches field the same team of volunteers at each serving, while other churches rotate volunteers.
Holiday Gifts
Every Christmas The Ladle and the Hearth serves a Christmas dinner on Christmas day, offering a feast starting with appetizers and punch, followed by turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy; ham; stuffing; sweet potatoes; California vegetables; rolls; cranberry sauce; vegetable trays; pies; fresh fruit; and Christmas cookies. We welcome donations of homemade cookies.
Contributions to the Food Pantry
The Ladle and the Hearth stocks its food pantry with food and household goods. We are in need of canned meats, tuna, hearty soups, spaghetti sauce, instant mashed potatoes, and other non-perishables. Our families especially need consumables, personal hygiene products such as paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, and bath soap, and cleaning supplies such as dish and laundry detergents.
Cash Contributions
Our meals are contributed by volunteers, the dining facilities are donated by St. John's Lutheran Church in Old Economy, Ambridge and we have no paid staff. This helps to keep our organization lean, efficient, and mission-oriented. Although our operating budget is quite manageable, there is always a need for cash and fundraising efforts. We use cash contributions to purchase serving supplies and cleaning supplies. Occasionally we need to replace tables, add equipment, and make repairs to the church dining room and related facilities. We also require cash to pay our annual insurance premium. For safety, we engage the services of a security guard to help us instill a sense of well-being and order at The Ladle and the Hearth. There is always a need for cash to address the special circumstances of our guests, including BCTA All-Day bus passes; gift cards for Shop & Save as well as for Giant Eagle and WalMart; and emergency housing and utility assistance. And when the budget permits, we make a contribution to our generous hosts at St. John's Lutheran Church to offset the cost of utilities.
Help Us Serve
We are especially anxious to work with churches and synagogues that are willing to collect non-perishable food and supplies for our food pantry. We also would be happy to provide motivational speakers to organizations to tell the story of The Ladle and the Hearth to your members.
Partner With Us
Better yet, we would be happy to arrange for you or your organization to make a personal visit to The Ladle and the Hearth on a Monday afternoon so that you can experience the love, and spirit that exists within the community at The Ladle and the Hearth.