Grace Cathedral

Though the cathedral’s doors are closed to the public, its pews empty and with volunteering opportunities greatly impacted by the crisis, our connections to the outside world remain strong and vibrant. 

With dedicated coordination and creative problem solving, Dinner with Grace treated our friends at The Crosby to a tasty, nutritious meal on a special Tuesday night in May! Unable to assemble and use the Grace Community Kitchen, we adopted a COVID-19 compliant strategy, engaging a highly recommended caterer, Franny’s Kitchen, to safely prepare and deliver the meal: roasted chicken thighs, potato salad, greens and a blueberry corn muffin. Yum!  

Not long after the food arrived at 3 pm, Kristin Ullom, Crosby Support Services Manager, individually dispensed 60 take-out boxes to the residents as they descended to the lobby one by one. It wasn’t exactly the same kind of lively, community-building experience we usually share, but it was COVID-19 compliant, and it let the residents know that we are thinking of them and wishing them well through this crisis. The meal was also much appreciated and enjoyed! As Tracee Zyla, Program Coordinator at Grace observed, “This took effort and coordination from many hands, and it feels like a small victory in reimagining church and how Grace can serve those in need while respecting social distancing.”

Dinner with Grace then brought Franny’s Kitchen back for a reprisal to share some soul-soothing meal love with The Mentone in June. Keith Bussey, Support Services Manager, received the delivery for Mentone residents. Keith shared, “The feedback I received for yesterday’s catered meal: DELICIOUS. Thank you for all that you do to help the disadvantaged, especially in these bleak times. I saw smiles when I asked ‘How was the food?’” 

Like so much else, the timing for resuming our normal gatherings is still up in the air. You can be sure that Grace will follow local and state directives as they emerge, with the health and safety of all top of mind. 

Let this celebration in service through a delicious meal be a source of inspiration and hope: We will get through this!