About
The West Side Catholic Center (WSCC) provides hot meals, clothing, shelter, and support to individuals and families in Cleveland—regardless of religious affiliation. Visit their website to learn more: https://www.wsccenter.org/
Parishioner volunteers from St. Joseph Catholic Church have two meal serving opportunities at WSCC.
Serving Saturday Breakfast
On the first and fifth Saturday of each month, six to eight parish members travel to the West Side Catholic Center located at 3135 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113. The volunteers use the groceries provided by WSCC to cook, prepare and serve breakfast to about one hundred clients.
This is a perfect opportunity for families and individuals who have limited time or just want to get an introduction to social concerns. Each session is just a few hours, and most volunteers serve just a few times each year. We start at 8:00 to prepare breakfast, then we start serving at 9:00AM for about one hour. We then do a little cleaning, and finish by 10:30.
Serving Sunday Dinner on the Third Sunday at Moriah House Women’s Shelter
Typically, a family prepares food at home and serves it at 5:00 pm in the shelter. At the end, the volunteers do a little clean up, while the clients clean the dishes. The volunteers buy the food and St. Joseph gives the family a gift card to help cover the cost. The shelter requests food for forty clients. The shelter suggests the volunteers visit and participate in activities with the clients after the dinner.
Further details for this dinner are described in the link below.
Dinner Service Procedures
Thank you for volunteering to serve dinner in our Moriah House Family Shelter. In order to ensure a rewarding experience for both you and our clients, we ask that you adhere to the guidelines below:
Meal Preparation and Service
- You may use the kitchen (including provided utensils and dishware) freely to prepare the meal. Meals should be for 40 residents.
- Dinner service is from 6:00 – 7:00 PM. Please note that some families may be out, and will eat upon their return to the Shelter. You need not wait for all families to be present for service.
- Following dinner, feel free to visit and/or participate in activities with our guests. Check with Shelter staff to see what options are available. Weather permitting, you may play in the playground area located immediately behind the Shelter.
- Following your service, you may provide feedback about your experience to Veronica Favela, Advancement Manager, by emailing vfavela@wsccenter.org
Arrival
- Get in touch with Rosita Campbell, Shelter Manager, One week priorto your scheduled service date to let her know what you plan to serve. You may reach Rosita at rcampbell@wsccenter.org or (216) 631-4741 ext. 165.
- 3203 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113 is the Moriah House address. The main entrance is located off W32nd street at the green door with the blue awning. Please ring the doorbell and wait for assistance. The telephone number is (216) 631-4141. Please call ahead if you are running late.
- Plan to arrive around 5:00 PM, or earlier if you need more time to cook. Food drop offs should also be at 5:00 PM if you do not plan to stay and serve.
- Shelter staff will assist you in signing in. If you have any questions or would like a tour of the Shelter, please do not hesitate to ask. There is a restroom behind the front desk for volunteers as well.
- Contact
Tom Miller, 440.238.9439, Tommmiller87@gmail.com