4 minute read
WCA Foodies feed the hungry
By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator
"Foodies” is one of the most popular WCA interest groups, with nearly 400 members. Women who join Foodies love tasting, preparing and talking about food!
Under the direction of WCA Board Member Lea Bendes, the Foodies participated in many special programs this past season, including a variety of cooking demonstrations. (It was very exciting to use the new catering kitchen in the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center for these programs!) Quite a few Foodies hosted themed-based “Tastings” in their homes and many women participated in lively discussions on a wide variety of food-related topics (including kitchen gadgets and using leftovers).
Some of the many Foodies volunteers who served a hot meal at Café of Life on March 6 include Linda Shapess, Carol Mandour, Madeline Foster, Jane Shaw, Sydell Weinberger, Nancy Armocido and Phyllis Strome.
Just last month, the owners of Jewban, a Jewish-Cuban food truck, shared their story of how they got started, and then prepared and served their delicious food for the group. And, after years of virtual get-togethers during COVID, the annual cookie exchange was once again held in person, so participants could not only share the recipes, but also sample the array of cookies.
Members of WCA Foodies enjoy cooking — and this season, they found a way to combine that talent with their interest in helping others through the “WCA Foodies Feed the Hungry” program. The program was initially conceived by Foodies Chair Lea Bendes as a way to give back to the community.
Bendes explained, “When I returned to Naples shortly after Hurricane Ian and saw the devastation, I wanted to find a way to help those in need. I thought that the Foodies could prepare meals to serve to victims of Hurricane Ian, but I learned that most agencies only accept meals prepared in a licensed kitchen. Then Foodies member Jane Shaw discovered that the Café of Life agency in Bonita Springs was looking for home-cooked food to serve the working poor. I met with Peggy Brown, and we mapped out a plan for a potential program. I sent an email request to the Foodies to help prepare meals. The response was overwhelming!”
Phyllis Strome, Carol Mandour, Sydell Weinberger, Linda Shapess, Madeline Foster and Nancy Armocido assemble meals.
After the rewarding experience of providing the first hot meal in November, Shaw and Brown offered to spearhead the project. One day each month, January through April, a crew of approximately 17 WCA Foodies prepared food at home, then served the hot homemade meal to approximately 75 people at Café of Life. This season, the menu included baked ziti, string beans with chickpeas, grapes and cookies. (The members decide which part of the meal they want to prepare.) The meal is served at 9:30 a.m. and is the only hot meal that many of the beneficiaries eat all day.
Foodie Barb Lefkowitz, who is deeply committed to the Foodies Feed the Hungry program, said, “By volunteering at Café of Life, we are providing meals to those who are less fortunate. They are most appreciative. I feel like we are truly doing a mitzvah!”
One morning, while the Foodies were serving food at Café of Life, announcements were made that Farmer Mike had brought fresh produce; a doctor would be coming the next day to help with health issues; and Jose, another volunteer, would be offering free haircuts.
Brown commented, “It is exciting and rewarding to work with the staff at Café of Life. This is a well-run machine that greatly appreciates volunteers like ourselves. I am glad that the Foodies can be part of this program.”
Yadi Munoz, who has worked with Café of Life for 20 years and is now the site manager and volunteer coordinator, said, “The volunteers make our organization. There is no way that we could provide for the community without them. I am very grateful for every volunteer and cooking team that I have.”
Reflecting on her experiences, Shaw said, “The Café of Life is a beacon of many lights that shine in the community because of volunteers like the women from the Foodies group, who step up each month.”
Thank you to the 36 Foodies who have made the “WCA Foodies Feed the Hungry” program a reality.
