After 13 years as a devoted SKIP volunteer and 10 years of thoughtful leadership on the SKIP Board, Phil Franchini has stepped down as Chair of the Board. Phil’s commitment, vision, and steady guidance have left a lasting mark on SKIP and the community we serve.

Throughout his years with SKIP, Phil played a vital role in shaping the organization’s growth. He helped create the Sponsor a Lunch Program, expanded SKIP’s mission and reach, and strengthened the structure of the Board to ensure SKIP’s long-term stability and success. His leadership was always grounded in care, collaboration, and a deep belief in SKIP’s work.

Phil brought a wealth of professional experience to SKIP, with a career spanning finance, marketing, and retail from Ernst & Young and Merrill Lynch to leadership roles at Nordstrom and the Calvin Clothing Company. More importantly, he brought his heart. Phil’s generosity of time, thoughtful insight, and unwavering dedication made SKIP stronger in countless ways.

As Phil steps away from his role as Chair, Executive Board members Mark Bjorstrom, Treasurer, and Mary Ashley, Secretary, will serve as Co-Chairs. SKIP remains on strong footing, supported by a dedicated Board, committed staff, and more than 120 incredible volunteers who show up every day for our guests.

We offer our deepest gratitude to Phil for his years of service, leadership, and friendship. His impact on SKIP will be felt for years to come. Phil, you will be truly missed, and always appreciated.

Vera Dooley, who was just beginning her seventh year as a SKIP volunteer, is leaving Provincetown to move to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family and grandson.

Vera worked regularly on Thursdays (with the “Thursday girls”) and often on Wednesdays. Known to many of us as the “Dessert Queen,” she could always be found cutting cakes and pies, serving ice cream on special occasions, and—her favorite—adding a generous dollop of whipped cream.

Vera always had a kind word for our guests and a way of bringing a smile to their faces as she presented a delicious dessert. We will miss her greatly and wish her all the best in this new chapter. Vera, we hope you’ll stop by SKIP when you’re back in town—we’ll save some whipped cream for you!

If you’ve noticed the beautiful flower arrangements on the tables at SKIP, we have a new volunteer to thank. Stephen Orr joined SKIP this November and has already volunteered on several different shifts.

An avid gardener, Stephen is the former editor-in-chief of Better Homes and Gardens and currently writes about gardening for the Provincetown Independent. His husband, Chad Jacobs, is also a new SKIP volunteer.

We’re delighted to welcome Stephen and Chad to the SKIP community, and we thank Stephen for generously sharing his talent and helping to brighten our dining room.

In 2022, Peter Betit concluded a distinguished 40-year career as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at Boston Children’s Hospital, where he served as Director of the Respiratory Therapy Department and the Artificial Heart–Lung Program. Peter and his husband, Joe Fedrico, have been full-time Provincetown residents for the past five years and hold fond memories of their more than 30 years in Wellfleet.

Now in his fourth year of volunteering at SKIP, Peter supports both the Human Resources and Operations Committees. He officially joined the SKIP Board of Directors in June 2025 and, even prior to joining the Board, generously used his truck to transport up to 2,000 pounds of donated food from the Greater Boston Food Bank— demonstrating his deep commitment to SKIP’s mission.

Peter shared that he felt right at home on his very first day at SKIP, recalling how he was “recruited” as a child to help with the countless spaghetti suppers and breakfasts his parents organized at their church in the Berkshires. When not at SKIP, Peter and Joe enjoy traveling, cooking and sharing meals with friends and family, and tending to their home and flourishing gardens.

James Halloran Fay, a former board member of the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP), passed away on December 3, 2025, at AdventHealth Hospital in Palm Coast, Florida, with his husband of 12 years, Mark Coppola-Fay, by his side. He was 82.

Jim and Mark met in 1975 and shared more than 50 years together. Provincetown held a special place in their hearts; they visited often before purchasing a home on Winslow Street in 1992 and later living in town full time. Jim and Mark were married in Provincetown in 2013, surrounded by friends and community.

Both Jim and Mark served on the SKIP Board for three years, supporting the organization during a period of growth and deepening community engagement. Jim especially loved Souper Saturday and the sense of connection SKIP fostered.

Former SKIP Board Chair Daniel Elias shared that “Jim and Mark welcomed him with open arms when he first joined SKIP in 2003.” Their commitment to service, Jim’s joy in bringing people together, and his unwavering belief in SKIP’s mission left a lasting impression on the organization. Jim Fay will be remembered with gratitude and affection by the SKIP community he helped strengthen.

Thanks to our Wednesday service crew, our first monthly birthday recognition and raffle went off without a hitch! November winners Deyan and Vinny each scored gift certificates to Ocean 193.

When: Last Wednesday of the month, December 31st

Raffle Drawing: 12:45 PM and 1:00 PM

Restaurant: Fanizzi's

How to Play: Get one raffle ticket when you first enter the line that day.

The Big Prize: Two winners will be drawn during lunch service. You must be present to win, and you must not have won in the past 12 months.

Supporting Local: This raffle is SKIP's way of supporting our guests and the wonderful local restaurants that serve us year-round!

GIVE THE GIFT OF FOOD

The Soup Kitchen in Provincetown depends on the generosity of individuals and businesses to keep our community nourished. Your sponsorship helps us serve good food and good company to those who need it most. 

Thank you for being part of our mission and making a real difference in people’s lives.

—HOMELESS PREVENTION COUNCIL. The Homeless Prevention Council has office hours in Provincetown from 10 - 2 Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday at the Provincetown United Methodist Church. For more information, please refer to their website. www.hpccapecod.org/provincetown-community-support

—CROP SWAP. Crop Swap is Ptown’s source for fresh, uncut fruits and vegetables and is open year round. Sponsored by the Ptown Health Department, the Ptown Public Library and SKIP, anyone may donate fresh fruits and vegetables, and all are welcome to take what they need. All fruits and vegetables are free. Please bring your own bag.

Crop Swap is located in the Ptown Library, 356 Commercial Street, to the left as you enter the front doors. Hours are:

Mondays & Fridays: 10-4:30

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays: 10 - 7:30

Saturdays & Sundays: 1 - 4:30

There is a refrigerator for perishable items and shelves with bins for non-perishables, such as potatoes and squash. Announcements are made on the Provincetown Community Page on Facebook when new produce is added to Crop Swap. Please be sure to take advantage of this valuable resource. 

—FOOD GIFT CARDS. We also provide Stop & Shop gift cards for distribution by Helping Our Women (HOW) and a church largely serving the area’s Jamaican community. These organizations determine who’s qualified to receive them. 

—MEAL DELIVERY. On two days each week, we home-deliver nutritious meals to those with health, mobility and other qualifying issues. Contact the SKIP office, office@skipfood.org, to set up an interview to determine qualifications.

In addition, SKIP provides input and a link to The Lower Cape Food Access Guide updated in April 2025 by Outer Cape Community Solutions (OCCS). This comprehensive list details food resources available from Provincetown to Eastham, as well as other Cape-wide services. Check out the Resources page on our website, www.skipfood.org/resources, for a link to this guide, or pick up a copy in the SKIP office at 20 Shank Painter Road. 

GINA LARKIN, Executive Chef

JOHN STRUMWASSER, Office Coordinator

DIDIER CORALLO, Dishwasher/Utility Person

SKIP Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 10-2/Phone: 508.487.8331

If you'd like to contact the editor, please email us at newsletter@skipfood.org.