Women from the Boston Stake Relief Society attended two events for the women’s shelter Rosie’s Place in Boston. At the annual benefit fundraiser luncheon, we learned about the history and mission of this first women’s shelter in the United States.
On Dec. 2, 2014, six volunteers had a chance to meet some 150 guests at the shelter. We arrived in time to set up for the lunch by arranging the chairs and tables, including floral centerpieces. Then we served the three-course meal – soup and bread, followed by main dish and salad, and fruit for dessert. As a wife and mom who has trouble getting even a single dish on the table in the evening, I was inspired by the menu and quality ingredients that went into this lunch. The organization is very well-run and our time did not go to waste for a minute. The volunteer coordinator has clearly been honing her task for years and she was able to smoothly direct the ten or so volunteers, which included both regulars and others (like myself) who were there for the first time. After the guests had been served, the volunteers were invited to have a plate of food as well. Two of us sat and ate with one guest who turned out to be deaf. Not deterred, we counted on lip reading followed by some napkin scribbling to carry out a conversation with our tablemate. I can report that both the food and the company were very nourishing!
– Mary M.