Happy autumn friends! It seems to me that summer goes by in the blink of an eye. During those blinks, we launched a new pilot lunch delivery program at St. Mary's, hired a new chef, and celebrated our loyal volunteers. Our current focus is getting the PUMC ready for our opening day on November 4th for dine-in guests. Lastly, we are searching for an office administrator. Contact us if you're interested.

See you soon!

Donna

The SKIP board is extremely happy to announce the hiring of a new chef for its 33rd season, set to open on Monday, November 4. He is Raul Garcia, who has been part of the food-service industry for more than 30 years.

Raul succeeds Gina Larkin, who served SKIP admirably for the past three seasons. Most recently the chef at Provincetown’s Strangers & Saints, Raul brings a wealth of experience to SKIP. He studied at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California.

Over the past decade, Raul has been a familiar face on the Provincetown culinary scene. He served as chef consultant at Liz’s Café and Angel Foods and was the lead chef at two popular former restaurants, Backstreet and Café Edwidge. In addition, Raul has been the lead chef and owner of his own business, Culinary Creations Catering.

As our chef, Raul will be responsible for the management and oversight of all SKIP kitchen operations. Not only will he manage our daily winter lunch program, but he’ll also assume several related responsibilities. These include budgeting, menu planning, food procurement, prep and serving, as well as expense control, inventory and clean-up.

“We’re delighted to welcome Raul and confident in his ability to keep our lunch program running smoothly,” said SKIP Board Chairperson Philip Franchini.

Raul is looking forward to working with all of our great volunteers and joining you in SKIP’s contribution to our community.

SKIP has been busy during the “off-season” with a new pilot food distribution program conceptualized by board members Libby Cressey and Rob Sweetman. In May of 2024, we began delivering nutritious lunches to some of Provincetown’s residents needing extra help. Our Summer Chef, Paulo Salvador, ably assisted by volunteer Brian Glidden, created wonderful lunches at St. Mary of the Harbor Church’s kitchen. The meals were distributed two days each week by a dedicated group of SKIP and HOW volunteers. We were welcomed into the homes of some Provincetown residents we don’t usually see during our regular season. Many have great tales to tell about this storied town, and their own lives and adventures. What a privilege it’s been getting to know them. The program was a success and we will continue it through our regular season.

Lunches are available for those who have health or mobility issues that limit their ability to prepare meals. If you or someone you know may qualify, email us at office@skipfood.org for an application.

In its latest edition writer Andrea Pvenson highlighted Sustainable CAPE’s Harvester Highlights program, now in its 5th year. Using funds from a Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources grant, private funding, and business sponsorships, the organization purchases fresh produce from different Cape Cod growers at full market value and donates it to soup kitchens in Provincetown, Truro and Orleans throughout the year. SKIP is very fortunate to be a beneficiary of Harvester Highlights. Our chef creates a menu to incorporate this bounty, our guests enjoy fresh local produce, and it saves our budget for other foods. BIG THANKS TO SUSTAINABLE CAPE AND OUR CAPE COD GROWERS ! 

SKIP Orientation for the 2024-2025 season will take place on Tuesday, October 29 @ 11:00 AM @ PUMC. Coffee & pastries will be served.  

Orientation is open to all SKIP volunteers and potential volunteers, so even if you are a veteran of SKIP, it is important to attend to learn what is new and what has changed. Our new chef will be introduced and you will get a chance to hear from him about his plans for the season.  New volunteers will get the chance to ask questions. Tours of our facility will be given so that you can get the “lay of the land” as it were.  

So mark your calendars - See you there!

Mary

Chair, Volunteer Committee & Volunteer Coordinator

On Wednesday, September 11th, SKIP volunteers gathered at Far Land’s at the Beach at Herring Cove for an appreciation party. Around 70 volunteers attended and it was a fantastic event. The weather was perfect and all the volunteers were happy to reconnect after the off-season. Far Land catered a meal, featuring pulled pork, black bean burgers, kale salad, corn on the cob, potato salad, and of course their famous cookies and brownies. Board members served the guests. The SKIP Board was glad to have this chance to thank our volunteers, who work hard all season long, and as we always say, SKIP couldn’t do what it does without all of our volunteers. THANK YOU ALL! See you in November.

This month we’re shining the spotlight on dedicated volunteer Brian Glidden! Brian was an integral part of our delivery program this past summer. He worked with chef Paulo several days a week prepping and packaging meals to go. Brian, who usually works the service line at SKIP, has some excellent back of the house skills as well! Thanks to Brian and all of our volunteers for making our lunch delivery program a success.  

All of us at SKIP and the Provincetown community are saddened by the sudden loss of Eric Maul. Eric, 33, died unexpectedly on Sept. 12, 2024 at his home in Provincetown. Most knew Eric as a brilliant classical flutist and director of music at the PUMC. He was also co-founder of Red Door Chamber Music, a “community ensemble dedicated to bringing chamber music to Provincetown”. Eric also tended bar at the Boatslip, and was often seen around town walking dogs.  

We had the pleasure of meeting Eric virtually during Covid in February of 2021. Eric worked with SKIP as the producer of “Spring Music Thing”, a collaboration of local talent including drag performers, classical musicians, and cabaret artists.  Eric organized and performed at the event which was shown on PTV and live-streamed as a benefit for SKIP on March 27, 2021. Eric was such a beautiful and talented soul and a joy to work with. We will miss him dearly. 

A memorial service will take place at the Provincetown United Methodist Church, 20 Shank Painter Road, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Red Door Chamber Music will also perform a memorial concert for Eric, called “Faces About Town,” at the church on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested making donations to one of the following organizations in honor of Eric: AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod (ASGCC), CASAS (Carrie A. Seaman Animal Shelter), Red Door Chamber Music, or Gay and Sober Support.

Kudos to Mark Bjorstrom, SKIP Vice Chair & Treasurer, for his fundraising efforts at the firehouse this summer! Mark was also interviewed about SKIP by Joe Stickles of of Martha's Vineyard World (MVY) Radio. Have a listen!

Office Coordinator for Soup Kitchen in Provincetown Monday - Friday,

9:00 - 2:00, mid-October - mid-May,

part-time Summer. Excellent salary. Responsibilities include processing donations, answering phone and email, maintaining databases, office support for directors, coordinating outside services. Technical proficiency with computers; knowledge in Google Suite, WIX, Constant Contact and fundraising software a plus. Contact: eric@skipfood.org

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| PAULO SALVADOR, 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.