We are happy to announce that SKIP will reopen for its 33rd season on Monday, November 4. We’ll once again be serving lunch in the dining room of the Provincetown United Methodist Church (PUMC) at 20 Shank Painter Road. (SKIP is not affiliated with any religious organization and compensates the Methodist church for use of its property and facilities.)

Besides offering a nutritious, hot meal, we remain dedicated to providing a time and place for area residents to find companionship during the long off-season’s isolation. Everyone is welcome, and meals are always served free of charge. 

Lunch will be served Monday through Friday, from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM. Returning to our efficient pre Covid system, guests are free to select one meal to eat at dining-room tables or to take out. They can get second helpings if they are available at 1:15 PM. Friday to-go meals for the weekend will be available starting December 13. 

A delivery program has also been successfully tested over the summer months. We’re now able to home-deliver nutritious meals to those with health, mobility and other qualifying issues. This new service will be available throughout the year to those who qualify. 

Although guests cannot bring their own containers because of Board of Health rules, they can bring their own bags or reuse those provided.That helps SKIP reduce the $19,000-plus it spent last season on packaging materials.

'Tis the season for us at SKIP to start thinking about the holidays. Thanksgiving dinner is already being planned, with turkeys on order. We’re looking forward to serving up a feast! And plans for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, December’s Souper Saturday, are also in the works (more details on that to come).

A hearty thank-you to all the volunteers, staff, board members and donors who make our meals and companionship possible. 

See you soon!



Phil

When the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP) opens on Monday, November 4, there will be a new chef in the kitchen. A familiar face on the Outer Cape’s culinary scene, Raul Garcia brings his more than 30 years of food-service experience to SKIP. Garcia succeeds Gina Larkin, who had been SKIP’s chef for the past three seasons.

The start of SKIP’s 33rd season will also see implementation of a delivery program successfully tested over the summer months. To qualify for home delivery, one of three criteria must be met: recipients must be at least 72 years old or with some form of disability; have limited ability to prepare meals; or have mobility and accessibility issues. Those who wish to apply may do so by emailing office@skipfood.org.

Overseeing meals for delivery will be but one of Garcia’s responsibilities. They also include budgeting, menu planning, food procurement, prep and serving. Most recently the chef at Provincetown’s Strangers & Saints, Garcia has worked as a chef consultant at Liz’s Café and Angel Foods and was the lead chef at the former Café Edwidge and Backstreet. In addition, he was the lead chef and owner of Culinary Creations Catering. Garcia studied at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California.

“We’re delighted to welcome Raul and confident in his ability to keep our lunch program running smoothly,” said SKIP Board Chairperson Philip Franchini. “He’ll be directing our dedicated team of seasoned and new volunteers.”

We are very happy to announce that we have a new Office Coordinator. He is John Strumwasser. He is a graduate of Syracuse University, a Provincetown homeowner and partner of SKIP volunteer Steve Connors. John succeeds Paulo Salvador, who had been SKIP’s Office Coordinator for the past two seasons.

John was the chief executive of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, with a budget of $600,000 and more than 200 volunteers. He oversaw all operations, staff service providers, and the volunteers. 

His experience includes negotiating contracts, accounting, office management, and systems and database experience. He also managed implementation of software applications and did website design and maintenance. 

SKIP is very lucky to have someone with such broad business experience!

On Tuesday, October 29, about 65 people gathered to volunteer for the new SKIP season. We discussed the responsibilities of volunteers at each shift, introduced new staff and board members, and gave tours to the newcomers. The new home delivery program was also discussed. We are extremely grateful for their hard work and dedication to our program. 

We’re raising money to kick off our 33rd season of serving nutritious meals to the Outer Cape community. Thanks to a very generous donor, you can help us double the impact with their pledge of a $5,000 matching fund. Help us make a difference and further our cause of serving over 200 lunches, 6 days a week.  



The Soup Kitchen In Provincetown (SKIP) depends primarily on contributions from individuals and businesses to provide its nutritious meals and social community. It is not affiliated with any religious or political organization and receives less than 10 percent of its income from government and other grants. 

Please help if you can. Every donation makes a difference.

As we start our 33rd season, the first lunch of the SKIP season will be dedicated to Phyllis J Kroll. Phyllis died on September 27, 2023 at 79 years old. She was a Long Island, New York, resident and bar owner who regularly visited Provincetown. It was her wish that SKIP receive a share of her estate based on a formula she devised with her lawyer. We are extremely grateful for Phyllis’s choice to leave a legacy gift to SKIP.

Have any questions about Legacy Donations? Email us at office@skipfood.org or call the SKIP office at 508-487-8331.

It’s that time of year again where we need to fill up the empty slots on the Sponsor a Lunch calendar. This year, in addition to serving to patrons who visit us in the PUMC dining room, we are delivering meals two days a week to those that cannot make it to SKIP and meet certain criteria.  For just $500 you can help provide over 200 nourishing lunches. 

Oct 29 Volunteer Orientation 11:00 AM @ PUMC 

Nov 04 Opening Day at SKIP 12:30 PM 

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.