Overnight volunteers love pancakes!

The Taskforce for the Homeless' annual "appreciation breakfast" attendance increased to more than 60 on April 18 -- could the draw be Dave Tassinari's stick-to-your-ribs pancakes, or maybe Jack Ryan's fluffy scrambled eggs? Whatever the reasons, it was a happy crowd at Loring Library of Zion Lutheran Church.
Connie Melahoures, Taskforce president, told the group that the Overnights of Hospitality saw a significant increase in the average number of men in the nightly census count. The Overnights, which start each year in October, continue to feed and house homeless men through the cold months, ending the first week in April.
The ranks of the volunteers -- those who prepare meals, do laundry, provide transportation and other supportive services -- grew from the 250 people on last year's list to more than 300 this past winter, Melahoures reported to the breakfasters.

Volunteers appreciation breakfast April 18

Volunteers who provided meals, transportation and companionship to the homeless guests at this years' Overnights of Hospitality will be honored at an appreciation breakfast at 9 a.m. April 18, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in North Plymouth. This season's nightly attendance often reached 16 or more, and averaged about double our first season in 2005. The more than 250 volunteers from many of the Plymouth congregations made it all possible.
The Lutheran Church is one of the Plymouth congregations that opened their facilities to house the men, a week at a time on a rotating basis from October to the first week of April. Other congregations include Christ Episcopal Church, First Parish UUA, Church of the Pilgrimage Congregational, Congregation Beth Jacob and First Baptist Church.

FORECAST: golfing ahead!

Take note: circle May 31 on your calendar for the third annual fundraising golf tournament for the Plymouth Taskforce for the Homeless. The tournament will again be held at Souther's March Golf Club and the fee for golf, cart and festive buffet remains $115. There are sponsorship opportunities and prizes will be awarded to the best golfers.
More information will be sent soon by e-mail or snail mail -- or contact Doris Johnson at dorisj31@gmail.com.