Rotary Club of Saskatoon
December 5, 2022, CLUB MEETING
Wendy Cooper chaired the meeting. Donna Gauthier was the Greeter and introduced the guests. Wayne Palmer was cashier.
Members sang 'O’ Canada and Gary Rusu gave the blessing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our Christmas party is on the December 19. We would like to donate some funds and items for Bethany Home. Please bring skin products, toothbrushes, toothpaste to the dinner that day or drop them off at 2120 York Avenue (President Steve s residence) or bring a cash donation to the meeting. You can also send an e-Transfer to the club.
We are serving at the Friendship Inn from 11:15 to 1:15 on Christmas Day. We are still needing three more volunteers - we have five so far. Please contact Gary Rusu at 306-222-8860 if you can volunteer.
Next Board Meeting is on December 14 at 4:00 pm at the Saskatoon Club and on Zoom.
HAPPY AND SAD DOLLARS:
- $100 from Paul Gauthier; glad to be able to come today after a bout of Pneumonia.
- From Maureen Torr - happy to be here and for the grant approval.
- $50 from Gary Rusu for the Hope for Malawi Brunch and $50 for our link with the Friendship Inn. (Initiated by Peter Zakreski)
- $50 from Linda Petrow for the Hope for Malawi Brunch and seeing Maureen.
- $100 from Elaine Zakreski for Hope for Malawi Brunch and $ 100 for the Friendship Inn.
- From Earl Newton. He praised us for our cub’s commitment to World Community Service.
GUEST PRESENTER - Our guest presenter, Laura Herman, was introduced by Elaine Zakreski. Laura has the position of Development Engineer Manager at the Friendship Inn. She has twenty years experience with fundraising. She has a marketing degree, and she is also a Fireside Singer. Laura is married and has two children.
THE FRIENDSHIP INN:
The Friendship Inn was established in 1969 at its present location. The Catholic Diocese observed that there were many transients, looking for work, with no accommodation and no money. The first occasion for a meal was a pot of soup which served six men.
Jack Leier was one of the first visionaries for this project. There have been three expansions to the premises.
The Friendship Inn’s motto is: “Food first and then hope”.
Laura has been with the Friendship Inn for two years and she wishes she had joined them earlier.
When Covid hit they still served breakfast and lunch, but in brown bags until things settled down. Eventually, in the summer of 2020, they opened their dining room again. They also had someone from Saskatchewan Health doing Covid Screening. Smaller tables were used, where only one person was seated. Later family groups could all sit at one table. Twenty tables were used at first and now there is room for 68 guests at once.
There is limited government funding, $ 70,000, enough for one social worker and the City abates the property taxes (no charge). The budget is $ 1.67 Million, enough to serve 1000 meals throughout the year. They are funded through the help of corporate and personal donations.
The cook has the motto “I will only serve what I would serve to my own family”. There is a core group of 35 staff.
Donations can be made of personal supplies as well as winter clothing.
NEXT MEETING: Christmas Luncheon, December 19 at the Saskatoon Club (No Zoom).
Reported by Steve Wilson
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