Welcome Becky

Becky fills in as a cook for the Gathering's easter meal

Becky Long, our former Marquette Trinity Fellow, has taken a full time job with the Gathering as Program and Volunteer Manager. Becky graduated from Marquette University in May with her Masters in Public Service and Non Profit Leadership. In her last two years with the Gathering, Becky managed all aspects of the Fresh Produce Preservation Project and headed up our expansion into the social media arena. In her new position, Becky will oversee all programming for the Gathering (including meal sites, produce preservation, on-site collaborations and new ventures) as well as assuming primary responsibility for our leadership volunteers (including recruitment, training, scheduling, supervising and celebrating).

Becky has a passion for the population we serve and for telling their stories. We are excited that Becky has chosen to continue as part of our community!

A Reflection from our Executive Director, Ginny Schrag

While sitting in the dentist’s chair this morning undergoing a deep cleaning (UGH!), I was contemplating two questions: 1) why did I once again put off my annual check-up, resulting once again in something hurtful and 2) what am I going to write for a reflection? I’m blocked!

The first answer was easy. Although I really like and trust my dentist, the thought of having my teeth worked on is very unpleasant for me. It’s one of those things I choose to avoid, knowing full well that at some point I will break through my avoidance and choose to go back. And there was the answer to the second question: the word “choose.” I can choose. I have choices – oh, so many choices. And so many good choices, with backups, so that if I choose one thing that doesn’t work out, in most instances I have another relatively good choice to fall back on. That is a luxury compared to most of the world. To most of our meal guests, actually.

One of the first standards practiced at the Gathering that I became aware of in my early days here was that of offering choice to our guests. We don’t have a lot of choice we can offer, but we do have some. We ask if a guest wants a particular item rather than just assume and slop it on the plate. We ask guests to choose which cookies/pastries they would like. We offer milk and/or coffee both on the line and more coffee while guests are eating. We say “hello” and are not offended if a guest chooses not to respond.

So what’s the big deal about being able to choose which cookies you want? At the Gathering we believe that choice and dignity are intertwined. Giving choices – even small ones – affirms that the individual has the right and the ability and the freedom to choose. It helps set a tone of respect, acceptance, friendliness, community, family. That’s the big deal. The ability to choose, matters.

People That Make The Gathering: Ed Kowach

Ed pictured at the Gathering's south side dinner site

If you’ve spent any time around the Gathering’s sites recently, you probably know Ed. Ed Kowach has been involved with the Gathering for the past thirteen years. Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ed to hear how he got involved.

About fifteen years ago, Ed became unemployed and homeless. He stayed in a shelter for two years. Life at a crowded shelter was overwhelming. To combat the difficulties, Ed stayed busy.

“I used to get up bright and early because I liked to get out and about. At that time, The Gathering was a means and a way for me to make sure I had something to eat. I was new to being homeless and not very knowledgeable about other programs, until I got to know people.”

One of the people that Ed got to know was Lee Easter. Lee was a cook with the Gathering for many years before Ed came into the picture. “Lee adopted me, he was like a stepfather to me” explained Ed. Lee showed Ed the ropes, helped him make connections and even helped Ed find an apartment to live in. He has been housed ever since. With the guidance of Lee, other volunteers and the Gathering staff, Ed began volunteering about three times a week at the Gathering’s St. James Site. He soon graduated to volunteering almost six times a week.

At the time, Ed also volunteered with a meals-on-wheels program and St. Ben’s meal program. With 30+ years experience working in the food industry, Ed makes a great addition to any meal program. Plus, he is no stranger to hard work. Ed has been seen cooking, cleaning tables and chairs, making sure people get drink refills, helping with deliveries, etc. He once helped make scrambled eggs for 150+ people on a scorching hot summer day.

Ed is now a Gathering staff member, working as a cook and security guard at the Gathering’s south side site. All of the volunteers and staff who have worked with Ed know that he is a valuable asset, and Ed feels the same way about them. 

“My favorite part has been knowing a lot of the volunteers over the years. That’s been real enjoyable. You can’t imagine the number of groups and volunteers that have come. I’ve got to know them all well. I think I am a safe, familiar face who knows how to do the job.”

Ed’s work with the Gathering over the years made him a recipient of the George Greene Award, given for exceptional service by a guest turned volunteer. 

“It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you’re getting recognized for giving something back, doing something for the community. It makes me proud. That’s why I continue on.”

A Day in the life of a Van Driver

Jim Ardis, one of two Operations Coordinators/Van Drivers with the Gathering has been known to use the phrase: “once the van starts, it doesn’t stop.” The morning of February 12th, I finally figured out what Jim meant: Dennis Stokhaug, the other Operations Coordinator/Van Driver allowed me to join him on his daily runs.

5:00 a.m. Dennis picks up bags of surplus buns, apple pies and more from a McDonald’s Restaurant.

6:00 a.m. I join Dennis and we go to two more McDonalds. At each stop, Dennis pops in and collects whatever surplus the store has available. We are never stopped long—Dennis knows right where to go and has a solid routine.

7:15 a.m. The next stop? Restaurant Depot. I am amazed at the large warehouse filled with any supply needed for food service. We pick up hair nets, gloves, aprons, sugar packets, cups and more.

8:00 a.m. The van is getting a little crowded so we drop off some of the treasure we have collected at The Gathering’s downtown meal site at St. James Episcopal Church. We wave “hello” to the volunteers gearing up to serve breakfast and then, once again, are on our way.

8:30 a.m. This time we head to Pick ‘n’ Save where we find a large bin with our name on it full of leftover baked goodies and artisan breads. Needless to say, it was difficult to not indulge with that aroma wafting around the van. (Jim and Dennis must have great self control.)

9:00 a.m. Next Stop? Starbucks! If you've ever been to one of the Gathering’s meal sites, you will remember the beautifully arranged trays of baked goods that are always set out for our guests. Between Pick ‘n’ Save, Starbucks and McDonalds, we collect some pretty delicious treats. Dennis and I stop at two different Starbucks where bakery bins are once again waiting for us.

9:30 a.m. Before heading anywhere else, we drop off our mountain of bakery at the St. James site.

10:15 a.m. You may think after over four hours of collecting donations, we are about finished. Well, we are not! The next stop? Feeding America - where we pick up some lettuce and cabbage for salads for our three Saturday lunch sites. We also pick up loaves of bread for our breakfast and dinner programs. The best part? Our receipt reads $0.00

11:00 a.m. We have to make sure that each of our sites get enough vegetables and bread for the next few days, so we unload at Our Next Generation (near north side Saturday lunch) Christian Faith Fellowship East (near south side weekday dinners and Saturday lunch), and once again at the St. James location (weekday breakfast with Saturday lunch).

11:30 a.m. I part ways with Dennis, even though he still has another couple hours of pickups.

The Gathering’s meals would not be possible without the work of Jim and Dennis. In 2012 they collected an average of 1,100 pounds of donated food per week. Food that may have otherwise been thrown out. I was impressed with the quantity of food collected and the generosity of Milwaukee area donors. Above all, however, I was amazed at how much time and energy goes into morning pickups. I developed a new found respect for Jim and Dennis for making these rounds every weekday morning.

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I asked Dennis what kept him going: “The people,” he told me. “Whenever I see someone leaving the food line and I ask them how they are feeling, they inevitably say they are blessed. That touches me. I learn from them [the Gathering’s guests]. They help me put things in perspective. There are some who always maintain a sense of humor, no matter what the circumstances.”

Dennis has been working for the Gathering for twelve years. He came out of retirement to do this demanding job. “In my previous job, it was all about me, you know, climbing the corporate ladder. But I think I found myself in this job because it is different. Now, there’s not a darn thing about me.” Thank you Dennis, Jim and all our donors for your commitment to this work and for being part of “people in community feeding the hungry.”