...I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me...


------------- Winter 2010 ------------

Over 800,000 meals served
You’re Invited to the
27th Anniversary Dinner
by Chris Schmidt

Saturday, May 1, promises to be a special day this year. We’re looking forward to a sunny and warm (but not hot) evening to celebrate 27 years of Our Daily Bread.

We’ll start with appetizers and drinks on the patio at 5 PM. The Peninsula Banjo Band strikes up at 5:15 with strumming, singing, and lots of your old-time foot-tapping favorites.

Our theme is “Springtime” and the menu planned by The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Sunnyvale includes a spring salad and spring vegetables along with a stuffed chicken breast, potatoes, and a scrumptious selection of deserts from the school’s bakers. Plan to sit down for dinner around 6:15 and join together as we honor the many ways you and others have made ODB a success.


Arnold Siegel

“Arnold, ODB will miss you” says the banner across the front of the ODB dining room. David Barnes taped it there on January 9th, the day Arnold died, so all could see and realize what had happened. Many volunteers and diners wept when they read it and asked when there would be a memorial service.

On Saturday, February 27th ODB honored “Arnold the cook” with a memorial service in thanksgiving for his life and for his 12 years of service to ODB. It was held in our dining hall with close to one hundred in attendance. The Reverend Wendy Smith of St. Thomas Episcopal Church officiated. A farewell litany was read after remembrances were given by David Barnes, Donna Beres, David Marsiglia, and Nancy Siegel.

A reception followed with an outstanding buffet provided by David Barnes and many of the volunteers. While this scrumptious food was being enjoyed, guests were able to socialize. Leona Beattie, retired long-time volunteer who now lives in Folsom, and daughter Linda Kessler, traveled the greatest distance to attend.


Thanks for Donating
All Those Goodies
by Jan Camp


Once again the ODB diners enjoyed receiving a beribboned bag of toiletries, candy, and a special something. For women, it can be a scarf, bath powder, cosmetics, or a large toiletry. For men it can be after shave lotion, playing cards, or a pen and note pad. 300 gift bags were given out the week before Christmas. At a different time our homeless diners received an additional bag that had a heavy weight gray sweatshirt, socks, and a razor. Fremont Union High School Adult Education students voted to help the homeless. They raised money to buy forty of these sweatshirts by selling tamales and our diners who fit that category benefited from their generosity. Some of these students also helped fill and distribute the bags. Over the last few years we’ve worked with many of these fine students.

Please remember to save toiletries all year long and bring them to the ODB office or directly to me. In addition, some of you ask what is needed for those who are homeless or “down and out.” I give out toiletries, socks, T-shirts, razors, sweatshirts, and underwear all year round to those who ask for help.

The volunteers I’ve listed in other “thank yous” are still doing the sorting and setting up; and St. Thomas parishioners still bag the “goodies” between Sunday services on the second Sunday in December. Dr. Randy Waters continues to provide us with tooth brushes and tooth paste. Special thanks to all who take part in this effort and all who donate these items.

Our diners REALLY appreciate you!


Gladys Van Horn

Gladys passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Clearfield, Utah on November 22, 2009 at the age of 96. She used to walk from her home on Washington Avenue across from the park early each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning in order to roll silverware for ODB. She was a striking figure with her red hair, sturdy cane, and big smile. Before coming to ODB she had been active in many Sunnyvale community affairs. She was an ODB volunteer while in her late 80s and early 90s. Impressive!


A Packet for New ODB Volunteers

The ODB board has given the go-ahead to Kathy Meagher for the production of a packet of information to be given to each new adult volunteer at Our Daily Bread. The packet consists of general information about ODB, such as how to volunteer, donate, and participate in eScrip. In addition it has ODB contact information and a pre-addressed envelope.

It is ODB’s hope that easy access to this information by new volunteers will encourage further volunteering, donations, and participation in eScrip as well as providing a convenient way for volunteers to share ODB with others.