From UUC's Tent City 3 Team

When UUC hosted Tent City 3 (TC3) for three months in Spring 2023, our community provided a weekly dinner that proved to be a great opportunity for many from our community to contribute. Allie Harris and Sue Williams coordinated the plan in 2023, after gauging volunteer interest and seeking input from the TC3 community. 

When we decided to host TC3 again this year (from March 22 until July 26) Allie stepped up again to coordinate, with many from this community joining the effort. In total, UUC will host 16 dinners during this stay. Each Wednesday, 50-60 from the TC3 community dine in Nathan Johnson Hall. And, another 30-40 to-go boxes are prepared for others in the camp, with some on-duty with various responsibilities at the camp and others arriving back at the camp after dinner service concludes. So many meals—and the TC3 community is so appreciative. On top of that, any leftovers are delivered to TC3 on Thursday late morning, providing lunch fixings for some. 

Each Wednesday, there are 5-6 volunteers involved with serving and cleaning-up with Allie, with several dozen delivering menu items prepared in their home kitchens. To date, 62 from this community have contributed to at least one of the dinners, with 25 donating at least 5 times. Ten volunteers have become regulars, with their involvement hitting double-digits. 

As during the 2023 stay, Congregation Beth Shalom has partnered with us, and hosted several of the Wednesday evening meals too. Several other congregations are also delivering meals to the camp: St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Temple Beth Am, St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Assumption Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, St. Catherine of Siena Church, IMAN Center, St. Dunstan's and Ripe Catering have been delivering weekly meals to the camp since 2023! 

Even families in the neighborhood are preparing and delivering meals to the camp. So, if you and your friends are inspired to do that, you can check for openings on the TC3 meal calendar here. If you live nearby, or will be at UUC midweek, you are also welcome to drop by with a batch of cookies or muffins, or other ready-to-eat items. These donations are appreciated any time and you can feel free to drop off a batch of any size.

Thanks to all for your ongoing engagement with our TC3 neighbors! If you have any questions about dropping off donations or getting involved with TC3, contact Pam Smith Mentz. Of course, you can simply stop by the TC3 camp to say hello or ask about a donation you might like to offer—any time!