May 2023 Newsletter Page 1
Father Leo's Update:
-Food Truck Anniversary
-Successes to Celebrate
-Addressing Challenges
Father Leo Patalinghug,
The Table Foundation
and Plating Grace Founder/CEO
The 2-Year Anniversary of the Food Truck!
It was two years ago the Plating Grace and Grub Food Truck was dedicated--on the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker. Those of little faith would probably wonder what we were doing starting a new food truck and service ministry in the middle of a pandemic! But your faith, prayers and financial support made it possible. I personally thank you for your faith and generosity and also thank you on behalf of the untold hundreds of people we have been able to help the past two years through your generosity.
Lives Changed or Helped: During the slow winter months when the need is greatest, our Food Truck Team continued (and continues) the Corporal Work of Mercy of caring for the homeless poor--providing nutritious meals and essential care items to those living on the streets. Hundreds of meals and care packages were again distributed like last winter thanks to your financial support. Thank you so much for making this vital ministry possible!
Opportunities: Recently the Food Truck was contracted as a pop-up restaurant at a government agency in the area, which provides additional stability and regular work for the Truck and Team in addition to our normal parish and community outings and other commitments.
Challenges: Some of the Food Truck's challenges have been discussed in this space before, but it is only right that you, our supporters, are kept informed about what we are facing. As almost any business owner nowadays can tell you, staffing issues continue to be a major challenge. In addition to program interns, the Food Truck needs regular, paid employees to staff the truck on a daily basis and to fulfill other catering and food service commitments for the entire Plating Grace enterprise.
One of the biggest challenges has been training staff towards professionalism. We are confronted with 1) a sector of the population that does not want to develop such skills but just wants a paycheck. So trying to form and instill more professional qualities has been much harder to do than expected.
2) We need a person dedicated full-time to walking with (shepherding) the interns, similar to a case worker. But our resources are a bit strapped and so we’re praying for more guidance on who and how best we can support this challenging demographic.
3) As you can well imagine, food costs have gone up tremendously the past two years--affecting everything from product pricing to reducing the financial margins needed for paying the truck workers and maintaining the truck. We never want to sacrifice our tremendous food quality, yet also have to remain competitive to carry our our mission.
Finally, since the country has opened up more, my other commitments take me away from the truck for periods of time, which makes it difficult to be as present as I’d like. However, the truck continues to operate with our dedicated team, even though I am juggling a few different responsibilities. I have confidence in the team and trust that the Lord will provide. So please keep our work in your prayers that we can find dedicated workers for this part of God's vineyard. Thank you!
Chef Christa and Antuan working hard to serve.