On Thursday, February 28th, our SKIP guests were in for a sweet surprise: Girl Scout Cookies! This delicious treat was the brainchild of one of our new volunteers, Paul Cunningham. Paul has a goddaughter in Washington D.C. who was struggling to sell her Girl Scout cookies, so he wanted to help her out. Instead of eating all the cookies himself, Paul reached out to see if he could donate them to SKIP. Of course, we said yes!

Soon after, a case of cookies arrived, featuring seven different varieties. The volunteer team on Thursday made sure to taste-test them to confirm their quality, and all seven varieties got the green light. The volunteers then packed the cookies into baggies, mixing several varieties in each, and served them to our guests. It was a win-win: Paul supported the Girl Scouts, our guests got a sweet treat, and our volunteers had fun too.

A big thank you to Paul Cunningham for his generosity and for making Girl Scout Cookies Day at SKIP so special!

Attention Volunteers!

As you know, our SKIP season wraps up on Friday, April 25. However, our lunch delivery program continues during the SKIP off-season, from May to October. We operate out of the kitchen at St. Mary of the Harbor on Commercial Street and deliver lunches on Thursdays and Fridays, and we need drivers to help!

To volunteer as a driver, you’ll need to complete a CORI check (a simple and standard criminal records check) since deliveries are made directly to people's homes. Once CORI-approved, you can also volunteer for our winter delivery service if you’d like.

Our lunch delivery volunteers love the experience—the recipients are incredibly grateful, and volunteers find it deeply rewarding.

If you’re interested in becoming a driver, please email Libby Cressey at libby@skipfood.org.

For general questions about the program, email volunteer@skipfood.org.

Thank you for your support!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

 SKIP Salutes Our Octogenarians!

SKIP is grateful for all of our volunteers, who come from various backgrounds and professions, all ages (over 18), all walks of life, and various geographical regions. What you may not know is that 6 of our volunteers are over 80 years old. We would like to salute their contributions to SKIP and their longevity. Meet our Octogenarians: 

Bruce Mason is our oldest volunteer at age 89. He has been volunteering for 12 or 13 years and works on Tuesdays, 2nd shift, in the kitchen. Bruce volunteers for the camaraderie of staff and guests and thinks food is a great thing to share with one another. His favorite times are the one-to-ones when he periodically wanders through the dining room. Bruce so appreciates the way the volunteers work with one another - he says he needs more help than he once required, and the help is always there. He enjoys the kibitzing that goes on - easy laugh times and serious times as well. Even when we are having fun and joking, safety & health concerns are the top priority in the kitchen.  

Bruce maintains that “in serving I am served as well - the paths we walk always have many similarities, and it's the differences that frequently aid my (our) growth” It's all about LOVE on a two way street. The Soup Kitchen is a backbone of Provincetown, aiding us all to stand tall and full.  

Jane Kogan is 85 1/2 years old. She is not sure how long she has been at SKIP, maybe 8 or 9 years. Jane is always an early morning prep person. She likes food, and likes to cook at home. She volunteers, she says “as living alone, it gives me something to do with other people around me.” Also, she thinks SKIP is probably the very best service offered in the town. (But she only got to realize this after starting to volunteer here. She had never ever been to SKIP before that, and even after volunteering, she didn't come for meals at all for many years.)

Jane says she has gotten to be known over the years as the “Onion Lady - since onions don't make my eyes water, I volunteered to cut them as it bothered many other people a whole lot.” Jane has probably chopped thousands of onions every year for several years. She was one of our stalwart volunteers during Covid when she worked 2 mornings every week, as there were fewer people who could volunteer during that time. It bothers her that not many people put money into the donation box at SKIP. She thinks that many people can afford to donate and wishes more of them would. 

Her octogenarian advice: “Just keep on keepin' on. And have a sense of humor, as it gets you through a lot of tough stuff in life.”  

WAYNE POWELL

Wayne Powell is 82 and has been volunteering at SKIP since 2017. He wasn't active most of 2020 due to hip problems but has been back strong ever since. He usually volunteers on the Tuesday kitchen prep shift, but often picks other morning shifts, usually Mondays or Fridays.

He thinks that the Soup Kitchen is important to the community and volunteering is something to do to help. Wayne enjoys working with other volunteers. Volunteering helps keep him active and engaged in the community.  

Wayne’s words of wisdom: "You don't necessarily get wiser as you get older." 

Roberta Annese is 81+ years old. She has been a SKIP volunteer for 8 years. She works the morning prep shift, usually Fridays and sometimes Thursdays. Asked why she volunteers, Roberta answers “for THE FAME & FORTUNE!”

Roberta’s favorite thing is the people she works with and the good friends she has made at SKIP. Her words of wisdom: "Work hard, play harder & enjoy your fame and fortune!"

Steven Connor has just turned 80. He volunteers because it’s fun & he loves the guests and the volunteers. He volunteers both on the serving and the prep shifts usually several days per week. Steve feels that he gets more out of volunteering than he gives. He doesn’t consider it “serving” but rather being with people & getting to know them. He appreciates the joy of community that is present at SKIP. He loves to see people enjoying each other and especially some of the younger guests who are working and come in to meet for lunch. He loves the din of conversation and laughter in the dining room.

Steve’s lifetime advice: "Every experience - whether good or bad - is all for the better and contributes to the person you are."

Liz Connor is 80, and this is her first year of volunteering at SKIP.  She’s been volunteering on call without a regular shift initially, but will be more regular on the serving shift after she returns from her travels. Liz is retired and moved here almost 4 years ago. She volunteers so she can meet more people in the community, plus she likes helping people in any way she can at SKIP and making them feel at home. 

She likes seeing other Townies when they come for lunch. Liz likes greeting people in general, being a friendly face, and putting a smile on other people’s faces. Liz hasn't done all the jobs yet, but so far she likes bussing tables best because she likes greeting folks and helping them by taking their trays. 

Liz’s wisdom is 2-part: 1. "Making eye contact and having a smile on your face goes a long way in breaking down barriers." 2. “Judge not lest ye be judged.” 

So a big “Hurrah” for our 80+ year old volunteers! You are an inspiration to all of us to keep moving, keep being busy and enjoying life to the fullest.

Mary

Chair of Volunteers

During his March vacation in Hawaii, Peter Maye volunteered for the second year at Hungry Heroes Hawaii Maui (HHHMaui). After losing its building in the August 2023 Maui fire, the organization has seen improvements, with less need for kitchen volunteers as the community rebuilds.

In 2023, HHHMaui delivered meals to displaced families in homes, hotels, and tents—this year, the tents are gone, and home construction is booming.

Peter volunteered at Hua Momona Farms, which has distributed over 24 tons of food since 2020. He gained a deep appreciation for the hard work that goes into farming and food security efforts on the island.

SKIP had a fantastic day at the Year-Rounders Festival on March 8th at Provincetown Town Hall! Our booth was buzzing with excitement as we gave away chef-themed rubber ducks, SKIP measuring cups, and raffled off SKIP aprons. It was heartwarming to see so many SKIP diners pop by to say hello and thank you. Their smiles and kind words made the day even more special. We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm from our community and look forward to seeing you at next year's event!

Sue Jungi passed away peacefully on February 15th, with her wife, Deb Meadows, by her side. A beloved friend and neighbor, she touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed. From 2005 to 2007, Sue volunteered at SKIP, taking on the toughest job in the kitchen — washing dishes. During the same timeframe, Sue was a volunteer for HOW. She was passionate about our planet and served on the Provincetown Recycling Committee from 2017 - 2021. Sue enjoyed off-roading across the dunes of Race Point, spending the day stunt kite flying and watching the sunset by the warmth of a bonfire. She and Deb remained dedicated supporters of the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown, reflecting their deep commitment to community service.  

Sue studied at Cal Poly Humboldt, laying the foundation for a life of learning and giving back. A devoted educator, she spent her career teaching math and science at Eureka City Schools, leaving a lasting impact on her students. Her kindness, wisdom, and warmth will be remembered by all who knew her.

For the month of April, Stop and Shop will donate $1 for each “Bloomin for Good” bouquet sold.

So, surprise someone with a fresh bunch of flowers and support SKIP at the same time!

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. Be sure to take advantage of this valuable resource. 

RAUL GARCIA, 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.