When Sulzbacher opened in 1995, we recruited local churches to commit to provide and serve monthly meals at the shelter. Ruby Peters, who was then president of the Council of Catholic Women at San José Church, jumped right in. She signed her church up for the fourth Sunday of every month. And now, 26 years and nearly 150,000 meals later, they’re still doing it every fourth Monday … and Ruby is still spearheading the effort. She says it’s been one of the most fulfilling adventures of her life. “In Catholicism, we have this whole thing about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and visiting the sick,” Ruby says. “This fits right into our mission of doing corporal works of mercy.”
Ruby’s team brings the same meal every month — one they simply call “San José Chicken.” It’s baked chicken with garlic and Italian seasonings, plus a couple sides and a dessert. “We tried mixing up the menu at first,” Ruby says, “but the guests kept requesting the chicken!”
Ruby has never had trouble rounding up volunteers for the monthly gig. In the early days, her four kids sometimes helped; today, her grandkids pitch in. Various ministries at the church also help — Sunday school classes, the choir, youth groups and so on. Ruby says volunteering is a good bonding experience as well as a “teachable moment,” particularly for young volunteers.
“Catholic social teaching is all about the dignity of human beings,” she says. “We want to treat each individual and serve them dinner like we were serving them in our own home. Because there but for the grace of God go I, as the saying goes. It could be any of us on the other side of that serving line.”
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