Christ House
Ministry Contact: Rita Tassa
Phone: 703-971-4378
Email: office@stlawrencealex.org
St. Lawrence Parish serves the evening meal to the homeless at Christ House (located at 131 S. West Street in Old Town Alexandria, VA; phone: 703-548-4227) on the second Monday of every month.
We are responsible for providing the main dish, salad and/or vegetables, bread, margarine, and dessert. Three or four volunteers from St. Lawrence are needed to deliver the food and help Christ House volunteers serve the meal. Leaders will advise their helpers what food is required from them and arrange for delivery to the volunteers going to Christ House. A recipe for a hot pasta dish is below. Arrival time at Christ House varies on the type of entree being served. The food needs to be on the tables by 5:00 PM for the first serving, and by 5:30 PM for the second serving. Approximately two hours are required to complete serving and clean up.
An average of 60 to 80 people are served during the evening meal. Each group may wish to decide on their own entree. A simple pasta dish has proven popular for the cookers and to those they are eating. You can also serve lasagna or chili. Throw-away containers are recommended. Other serving materials are available at Christ House.
RECIPE FOR THE HOT PASTA DISH
1 – 2 lb. cooked elbow macaroni or similar pasta
2 to 3 lb. cooked ground beef
2 qt. spaghetti sauce/tomato sauce
2-15 oz. cans of red or similar type beans (not drained)
Note: In order to prevent drying while heating, leave the sauce relatively juicy.
Mix all ingredients together in throw away aluminum pan, and heat in 350 degree oven until warm.
SALAD
Garden salads of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, tossed lightly with a mild dressing has been well received. Canned or cooked vegetables may be substituted, or added to complement any the main dish being served.
DESSERT
Cookies and/or fruit cocktail (4 large cans) are favorites.
NOTE: Nine large loaves of white bread and 3 to 5 pounds of butter or margarine are needed.
If you have questions or suggestions regarding the menu, please contact the Evening Meal Coordinator Sister Annie at Christ House directly (703-548-4227, ext 101).
If you want to volunteer for this wonderful ministry in the Corporal Work of Mercy to feed the hungry, please contact us by using with the “Contact this Ministry” box on the right.