Dinner at the Bell
Every Wednesday at 5:15pm in Stocker Hall we open our doors for a community meal to all in need.
Our weekly Wednesday community dinner, “Dinner at the Bell”, received its name because our guests line up by our old church bell on Rockefeller Ave. The dinners began back in April 2003, with a goal of serving a full dinner once a month to anyone in our community in need. We served 34 people on the first night we opened for Dinner at the Bell. Dinner at the Bell attendance is now nearly 170 a week. We have served as many as 250 in one week.
Several groups and individuals have volunteered their time and talents to feed the economically challenged in our community, by preparing and serving these weekly meals. On the 4th Wednesday of every month "Toiletries for Dignity" provides full size toiletries, household cleaning products, sanitary feminine products, paper goods and socks.
During winter hand warmers, blankets and coats are available to those who need them and during summer sunscreen and insect repellent are frequently requested. Showers to the People, founded by Frank and Louise Fargo, parks a shower trailer in our alley parking lot to provide our dinner guests with an opportunity to shower. The shower trailer has two full size showers, each equipped with an instant hot heating system to ensure hot water for all showers. All who shower, are provided towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, underwear, socks and a t-shirt. Other essential items provided include blankets, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, jeans, sweatpants, leggings, thermal underwear, jeans, hats, gloves, scarves, umbrellas, and toiletries of all sizes. A mobile laundry service is part of the service now provided. The House Church of Snohomish brings a truck with washers and dryers and launders our guest clothes while they enjoy their meal.
Several groups and individuals have volunteered their time and talents to feed the economically challenged in our community, by preparing and serving these weekly meals. On the 4th Wednesday of every month "Toiletries for Dignity" provides full size toiletries, household cleaning products, sanitary feminine products, paper goods and socks.
During winter hand warmers, blankets and coats are available to those who need them and during summer sunscreen and insect repellent are frequently requested. Showers to the People, founded by Frank and Louise Fargo, parks a shower trailer in our alley parking lot to provide our dinner guests with an opportunity to shower. The shower trailer has two full size showers, each equipped with an instant hot heating system to ensure hot water for all showers. All who shower, are provided towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, underwear, socks and a t-shirt. Other essential items provided include blankets, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, jeans, sweatpants, leggings, thermal underwear, jeans, hats, gloves, scarves, umbrellas, and toiletries of all sizes. A mobile laundry service is part of the service now provided. The House Church of Snohomish brings a truck with washers and dryers and launders our guest clothes while they enjoy their meal.
Volunteers Needed
Dinner at the Bell is more than just a hot meal on Wednesday evenings. We are beginning to actively recruit for volunteers to help us move inside with a target date of Wednesday May 18th with meal service beginning at 5:30 p.m. If you'd like to volunteer, you can sign up using the volunteer sign up sheet at the welcome booth or complete the electronic volunteer sign up form below. We'll be in contact to add you to our wonderful team. We look forward to working with you to serve our community.
If you’d like to learn more about Dinner at the Bell, please talk with Pastor Alan or a member of the Steering Committee:
If you’d like to learn more about Dinner at the Bell, please talk with Pastor Alan or a member of the Steering Committee:
- John Gebert
- Jay Kuhnhenn
- Dottie Villesvik
- Katherine Campbell
- Elizabeth Nelson
- David Baer-Peckham
- Joan Lyderson
- Jimmy Sharp
- Steve Hammond