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How many pounds of meat did you cook?
I didn't know you were involved with a homeless shelter...how many people did you serve dinner to?
I think it was five different people who made and brought it in, and several mentioned buying 6 pounds of beef. We had plenty.
I made 12 pounds of mashed potatoes. Four others brought in similar amounts of mashed potatoes. I knew I needed to make them extra creamy as they'd stiffen up while sitting on the steam table.
I forgot to ask how many checked in for dinner, but I think we served about 150 plates. They are allowed back for additional helpings.
I've been doing this for several years now. The homeless shelter is known as Pete's Pets, because it used to be a store that sold pet supplies. The business shut down about five or six years ago, and the city (Santa Fe) was able to acquire it, do serious remodeling, and here we are. Right now it is open overnight only from mid October through the first week of May. It needs to be open year round, but money is of course the big issue.
It also has a tremendous need for volunteers. Year round they serve lunches on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, as well as some other services. For the dinners, each week (Sunday through Saturday) is hosted by a different faith group. I happen to be good friends with some people at the First Presbyterian Church, so I help out with them. I love doing this.
The shelter normally closes at the end of April, but this week they're staying open through the first week of May. We (meaning the First Presbyterian people) will also do that one.
Up until about nine months ago I was working evenings, so I could only help out on the Sunday and the Saturday, but once I quit work last year I appointed myself the week long kitchen coordinator. It's a lot of work. For seven days I have an unpaid part time job, but I love doing this. And everything goes much more smoothly with one person there every night.
Also, I made your cole slaw dressing the other day, except I substituted liquid stevia for the sugar. Yum. 
Bravo for you for doing this. I know what you mean about enjoying your work (even if it is unpaid). That is numero uno in my book.
Cher
