The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Written by: Tim Brown, Community Relations Coordinator

During the holiday season, EECM's 1000s of supporters make an extra effort to help those in need with food drives, coat drives, volunteering and finding a little extra cash to make a donation to EECM! For that, EECM is thankful and would not be able to do what we do without all of you.

...then there are The Ladies of Charity
from St. Catherine of Sweden Parish?

What makes them so special you ask? They have been making an extra effort every other Saturday for over 10 years at EECM's Men's Emergency Shelter by providing a hot breakfast for the men before they head out for the day. I joined them on December 17, 2011 to see what kind of GOOD they were up to that day.

FYI...The standard breakfast at the Men's Emergency Shelter is cold cereal.

On their most recent visit, The Ladies of Charity were prepared for the season. They covered the tables in holiday colors and put cards made my children in the catechism classes at St. Catherine at each place setting. They brought egg bake casseroles, ham, sausage, danishes (Donated by H D Dudt Bakery in Wexford), clementines, orange juice and they even brought toasters to make toast, which I found to unbelievably thoughtful. I would guess that most of us take toast for granted.

Big deal you say, they made breakfast. I say there is more...

In addition to the breakfast, the men were given snacks to take with them to enjoy throughout the day: Slim Jim, Nutri-Grain Bars, Rice Krispies Treats and a variety of bite size chocolates!

Don't say it...there is more.

They also put together a gift bag for the 35 men in the shelter that consisted of a sweatshirt, socks, winter hat, hand warmers and $5 in Gift Certificates to McDonald's!

Amazing! But...there is more.

They even brought Christmas Cards for the men in the shelter to write notes and address to loved ones, wherever they may be, and then mail the cards for them! (It is ok to get a little choked up on that one. I did.)
So during this holiday season as we help others and give thanks for what we have, remember to say thanks to someone as well.

So...Thanks to The Ladies of Charity from St. Catherine of Sweden and
everyone that continues to help EECM build a community of hope.

Gastrophilanthropy Demonstrations Daily in EECM Soup Kitchen

Written by: Tim Brown, Community Relations Coordinator

Stephen Henderson is a free-lance journalist based in New York City. He is in the process of traveling the globe doing research for a book on GASTROPHILANTHROPY - the giving away of food to those in need. He recently chose East End Cooperative Ministry in Pittsburgh's East End to see what we do, how we do it and who we serve.

Mr. Henderson spent two days at EECM to pick the brains of various staff members, volunteers and EECM clients to find out how many we serve, how much food we give away, why volunteers do what they do and spoke with some clients to learn their stories. During his travels, Mr. Henderson likes to practice what he researches so he did a little GASTROPHILANTHROPY of his own.

In addition to being a journalist/writer, Mr. Henderson is also a food and cooking enthusiast. Day one was spent seeing how our kitchen operates. Day two was go time and the kitchen was his to prepare the lunchtime meal at EECM's Soup Kitchen.

Stephen (left) and his niece Amy are joined by volunteers Erika and Larissa with Kenny, EECM staffer in the background as they begin to prepare the meal.

Mr. Henderson went shopping at Whole Foods Market, an EECM supporter, to do his shopping for the freshest and tastiest ingredients for his menu. In the picture above, fresh fruit with sour cream and brown sugar is given the final touches for lunch.

The menu also consisted of penne pasta with sweet sausage, fresh peppers and basil. A fresh cut romaine salad with tossed by hand with a homemade olive oil viniagrette. As per usual, desserts and pastries were provided by the daily donations we receive from Giant Eagle Market District in Shadyside and Whole Foods Market.



Lunchtime! The meal was delicious and close to 100 were served on this day. The soup kitchen serves between 70 and 125 on average with numbers increasing towards the end of the month regardless of the time of the year.

Are you a GASTROPHILANTHROPIST? Become one and volunteer today at EECM!

'Chilly' in August

Written by: Tim Brown, Community Relations Coordinator

Not the brrr it is cold kind of chilly, but rather the kind that heats you up. Engine and Truck Co. No. 8 in East Liberty challenged the chefs at Giant Eagle Market District to a Chili Cook-Off! This epic battle took place last week at the Citiparks East Liberty Farmers' Market with the proceeds to be divided between East End Cooperative Ministry and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The firemen at No. 8 and the chefs at Market District each made two different kinds of chili with the winner to be declared by those in attendance after they sampled each chili. Many were in attendance because 30 gallons of chili was eaten in just over two hours!

And the winner was... Dragon Breath Chili from Engine and Truck Co. No 8! Congratulations to the firemen and to the chefs for making such great chili! The true winners were the kids that are helped through the MDA and EECM's Children & Youth Programs!

Special THANKS to...

Chef David Kukasky, Chef Mike Bond and Josh Borgese from Market District for choosing EECM as their beneficiary!

Dan Barr, Jim McGinley, Dan Doyle, Matt Bachner, Matt Schmitt, Mike Skruch and all the men from Engine and Truck Co. No. 8!

ROCKin' Day Camp

Written By: Dominique Dobson, Education Program Coordinator


As EECM's ROCK Campaign, which helps fund our Children & Youth Programs, continues through August 31st, Summer Day Camp is in the final week and we are sad to see it come to an end. Last week's playground lesson for campers focused on perseverance. Today's children and youth deal with a tremendous amount of pressure, not only from their peers, but society as a whole. Learning how to persevere through the 'tough stuff' will prepare them for life's unpredictable journey.

This week in camp we are preparing for our end of camp production. Campers will use song, dance and drama to recap all of the playground lessons and put them into action on Thursday, August 4th at East Liberty Presbyterian Church's Social Hall. At 6:00PM, all campers will take the stage to perform for family and friends. (116 N. Highland Ave., 15206)

Camp concludes on August 5th when all campers will relax and unwind with a roller skating extravaganza!

Last week at camp...

Lions and tigers and bears. Oh My! All campers went to the Pittsburgh Zoo.

The 5-8s saw birds they had never seen at the National Aviary and planted flowers at Phipps Conservatory.

The 5-10s finished their week at Idlewild Park.

The 11-12s went to Fun Fore All and took a trip to Kennywood Park.

The 13-16s conquered the Wave Pool and completed their week with a great trip to Cedar Point in Ohio.

And of course, everyone took a dip in the pool to stay cool at Highland Park!

This has been a truly amazing Day Camp! As camp closes, we hope all of our campers enjoy the remainder of their summer and the upcoming school year. Many thanks to those of you who support our programs throughout the year and through our ROCK Campaign.

Learning to Live Successfully

Written By: Dominique Dobson, Education Program Coordinator

We are in the midst of Week 3 of EECM's Summer Day Camp and this week's theme will provide strategies for successful living as we continue to focus on "Lessons from the Playground" throughout camp. Successful living leads to one fulfilling one's purpose in life. Our youth deal with many issues and do not know how to appropriately handle them all. Unfortunately, this can hinder their success. It is essential our young people learn how to live successfully so that they are able to reach their goals and live within the purpose God has created for them.

As for in-camp activities, campers will continue working on production lines, dances, and music for the end of camp production.

This week’s trip schedule:

The 5/6’s and 7/8’s will explore art and nature at the Frick Art Museuem.

The 9/10’s will cheer on the Pittsburgh Pirates as they take on the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park, and have loads of fun at Fun Fore All!

The 11/12’s will explore our cities rivers at Riverquest, a river-based educational program that provides students with a hands-on, exploratory experience that explains our rivers’ history and the importance of environmental stewardship. They will also enjoy fun in the sun at the Wave Pool.

The 13/16’s will scale tree tops at Geneva’s rope course where they will learn team building, how to encourage others, and how to overcome fear. They will go to PNC Park and cheer on the Pittsburgh Pirates as they take on the Cincinnati Reds, go horseback riding, and enjoy fun in the sun at Sandcastle.

Finally, all age groups will continue swimming at Highland Park’s pool during these hot summer days!

Nothing to do this Summer? No chance for EECM Day Campers

Written By: Dominique Dobson, Education Program Coordinator

EECM's Summer Day Camp is in full swing and everyone is having a blast! Last week, we began the 2011 camp experience learning about ourselves and each other. Campers joined their groups, met their counselors, and chose clinics to attend. The overall theme for this year's camp is "Lessons from the Playground" which will teach our youth how to make wise decisions when presented with tough life choices.

This week, the focus turns to the importance of Self-Assertiveness. Campers will learn how to be confident in themselves and use wisdom when asserting their individuality in today's communities. This is critical for success within the urban culture for today's youth.

As camp moves forward, campers will continue learning dances, music, and various acting techniques. Art projects will consist of fuse bead key rings, beaded animals, photo frame magnets, animal masks, wooden art and miniature flying saucers.

Activities throughout the week will include The Carnegie Science Center, The Children's Museum, Laurel Caverns, bowling, and swimming.

Safe Haven is Coming

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

It's almost here! EECM's new Safe Haven building is almost move-in ready. What's that? You didn't know that our Safe Haven program was moving? Well, it is! Safe Haven provides permanent housing to chronically homeless men with mental health problems. The program is currently housed in an admittedly somewhat dilapidated apartment building which happens to be located in the path of East Liberty's ongoing urban renewal.

Thanks to a great partnership with East Liberty Development, Inc., our program is being moved to a brand new apartment building a few blocks away. I popped over yesterday, and here's a sneak peak:

Our contractors are still hard at work, putting up the finishing touches.

One of the ground floor apartments' kitchen.

And an upstairs kitchen. The stub wall has a breakfast bar counter top.

A view down the hallway. Bedrooms on the left. Bathroom straight back.

There are even little balconies! (Note the beautiful railing.)