Kitchen Angels   |   1222 Siler Road  Santa Fe, NM  87507   |   505.471.7780
Halo Headlines w/ Clouds
OCTOBER 2020
Quick Links
Thank you for your on-going dedication and support of Kitchen Angels and the community of Santa Fe.

  KA Color Logo
VOLUNTEER
MILESTONE
ANNIVERSARIES

1 Year
Peter Lockyer
Debbie Rakotomalala
Andrea Slatopolsky 
 
 10 Years
Kathy Farris
 
20 Years
Mary Dale Gordon 
 

IN MEMORIAM


Celebrating the lives of our volunteers and clients

Geraldine D.
Alice Fleisher
 
There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.  
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Halloween Week at Kitchen Angels!

COVID has put a real damper on holiday celebrations this year. Most of us will be looking at small, quiet get togethers at home with few if any guests. Halloween will likely be far more low key this year as well, without many trick-or-treaters going from house to house. But none of that should stop us from getting into the spirit of the season!

Kitchen Angels is having a mask contest during the week leading up to Halloween. Since we'll all be in masks anyway, why not make it fun and embellish those masks! We will have a prize for the best mask of each shift: AM kitchen, PM kitchen, Delivery Prep, Delivery, and Kitchenality. For our drivers, please send in a picture of your mask the day before, with your self-assessment so we have a chance to see all of the entries before making the final call. We will have prizes each day and each shift from October 26-30.

We will also have a root vegetable carving contest. Why limit ourselves to solely pumpkin carving? Turnips, squash, parsnips, even beets are fair game. The carvings will be displayed on our back loading dock. Put your name on the bottom of your work of art so we know which artist creates the winning carving. 

Fill some of those extra hours at home with the arts! We'd love to see your creativity and to show you ours.



Have you hear about our latest program?
 
Caring Callers is designed to decrease the loneliness many of our clients experience, build connection, and identify potential issues that may arise for clients before those issues become serious problems.  Callers can also offer resources when possible. We do this by matching homebound clients with volunteers who can call and check in on a scheduled basis. The aim of this program is to build relationships by drawing the client into a conversation that breaks their isolation and begins to build rapport.
 
Our first five specially trained volunteers began making calls and developing rapport with their matched clients in early September. In one month alone, they shared over 14 hours of good conversation with our clients. We'll be expanding the program over the next few months. 

If you're interested in becoming a Caring Caller, please call Tamara at 471-7780, extension 207. You may also e-mail her. 

Reach out in kindness and make a new friend - you're sure to receive as much, if not more, in return.


Kitchen Angels is taking donations for this year's Spirit of Giving. In years past, the event brought together hundreds of people from the community to donate gifts and participate in our gift wrapping party. This year, due to our observation of COVID-safe practices, we won't be hosting an indoor wrapping party. Instead, we are hiring an individual from the community to put together gift baskets for each client. Instead of many hands making light work of the gift wrapping, we need many donations to make it all possible.

Gift baskets are costing $50 per client and we have approximately 200 clients. If you are able, click here, select Spirit of Giving from the drop-down menu and make a secure donation in any amount.  

Our clients truly love to receive the gifts each year, and they're extremely grateful for the thoughtfulness that they experience. We will bring back the gift wrapping party once it's safe to do 
so . . . and what a party it will be!



With fall's arrival comes the beginning of holiday season! Kitchen Angels has highlighted Thanksgiving over the past 28 years, welcoming visiting volunteers from throughout the community and cooking up a fabulous feast. This year we will still be sending out beautiful holiday meals, but with far fewer volunteer hands. We need to keep our volunteer numbers low to ensure adequate physical distancing between people in the kitchen. Fewer volunteers will make Thanksgiving more challenging and less festive, but clients will still receive a holiday feast prepared and delivered with love. 

If, for Thanksgiving, you are:
  • Planning to travel out of state;
  • Having family or friends visiting from out of state; or
  • Hosting visitors for whom you cannot vouch regarding their COVID-safe practices;
then please give Lauren as much notice as possible so we can adequately staff the kitchen. If you aren't certain of the situation's safety, then call and we can talk through the details.

We will still invite community members to help with meal delivery if they can meet our safety requirements. Each volunteer will still be screened to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy.

Thank you all for your kindness and flexibility regarding our scheduling efforts.

Tasty TidbitsTastyTidbits

It is officially pumpkin and squash season! Although pumpkins and gourds might be used more for decorations in October than for eating, we can't forget that pumpkins are a delicious ingredient for all your fall favorites. For exploring possible pumpkin recipes, check out Good Housekeeping's forty-five recipes that use pumpkin. The pumpkin slow cooker turkey chili recipe looks especially tasty with ground turkey, white beans, and of course, green chile.
If meat isn't your thing, then take a look at pumpkin lasagna roll ups from the Pioneer Woman.  
 
Squash, too, is a great seasonal ingredient that gives you the healthy feelings of a vegetable with a heartiness we all crave for fall. It is an incredibly versatile family of vegetables and can be used in soups, pies, pastas, and cakes. Check out tons of recipes for acorn, butternut, and other fall/winter squashes in Country Living. Kabocha squash, a Japanese varietal that tastes like a cross between sweet potato and pumpkin, is an extremely delicious ingredient. Food & Wine has nine great recipes for kabocha squash, everything from simply roasted to breaded and fried. Bon Appetit recommends peeling kabocha squash, but says that the skins of honeynut, acorn, and delicata can be cooked and eaten.
 
Since we're all still stuck at home and cooking for ourselves, some people might be considering changing to a plant-based diet. Veganism and vegetarianism can be great healthy lifestyle choices but, if not done thoughtfully, can still lead to unhealthy diets. Read up on the nutritional benefits, and possible pitfalls, of a vegetarian diet in the article "Is it better to be a vegetarian?" Whether you want to change completely to a vegetarian or plant-based diet or just want to institute some meatless Mondays, read up on a few cozy vegetarian recipes from the blog Feasting at Home. The mushroom wellington with rosemary and pecans looks and sounds extraordinary.
Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteerOpportunities 

We always welcome new volunteers! Here are our current opportunities:


Delivery Drivers (4:30 - 6:30pm) 
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
  • Substitutes for any day M-F

Delivery Prep (2-5:30pm) 

  • Substitutes who can train & fill in when needed

 

 

Please tell people who may be interested to call Lauren at 471-7780  

 

Continuing EducationContinuingEducation  
 
Dr. Fauci showing us how to chill at home
 
As COVID-19 continues to spread, most of us are wondering how we are going to stay healthy, and sane, until either it goes away (unlikely) or until we have a vaccine. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases, gave an in-depth interview with Business Insider on his daily routine and prospects for a vaccine. It actually feels pretty nice to know that Dr. Fauci doesn't know how he'll manage to celebrate the holidays with his family, either. We're definitely in this together.
 
As the weather gets colder and outdoor activity stops being the go-to stress relief, we might find ourselves complaining a lot more about our relative lockdown situation. That, plus a contentious political climate and various natural disasters hitting the U.S., make it it easy to plunge into despair. Interestingly enough, complaining and the constant cycle of negative thoughts actually rewires the brain to be more negative. Overtime we end up building a bridge to all those negative thoughts instead of to positive thoughts. Being positive in difficult situations is something we all need to practice. And just like everything else, practicing positivity means that, over time, being positive becomes easier.
 
So here are some positive things that we can look forward to just a little bit. Think Halloween will just be canceled this year? Not so fast, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Halloween can still happen but will just look different with pre-made goody bags and physically distanced trick-or-treating with masks. Here are some clever ideas of different ways you can celebrate what is being called Quarantine-O-Ween
   
In other fun Halloween news, Governor Lujan-Grisham's new health order allows for the opening of local pumpkin patches. Picking up and carving some awesome jack-o-lanterns can be a bit of a distraction. Take some time to get creative and get positive.
Community Connections   

Myojo Costello, teacher and baker extraordinaire! 
School is disrupted, so how do you teach culinary arts to kids at home? Santa Fe High instructor Myoko Costello faces the challenge of that, plus ensuring students have all the equipment in their home. Challenging economic times means that many kids can't just buy what they would have access to at school.

Kitchenality donated well-used but very functional muffin tins (passed down to us by the much missed Tecolote) to kids who will be baking from home. When Myoko picked them up, she donated student-baked muffins and breakfast burritos that will go out to our clients. We're happy to be a part of such a delicious community connection.


Do you know someone who needs help with paying rent or a past due utility bill or maybe a weekly grocery box delivery to help them shelter in place?  Funding will soon be available for our Santa Fe city and county community members in need. There are over 50 partner agencies on board and excellent resources are available.
 
People should go to https://www.santafenm.gov/connect and fill out the form to be connected to a navigator for help. Anyone without internet access can contact Jeanette at 505-471-7780 for help filling out the application.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Thanks 


Since opening back up in June, Kitchenality has exceeded our expectations and become a shining example of safe retail shopping in Santa Fe. We couldn't have done it without the hard work and flexibility of our dedicated volunteer staff. The Kitchenality staff had to attend trainings and change practically every process they had come to know. It hasn't been an easy adjustment, but we couldn't be more pleased with the results. In addition to their love of our kitchen wares, customers have expressed gratitude for how safe the shopping experience is. The protocols are clear and well enforced, making everyone feel protected.

From L to R: Kate Kostamo, Janie Sherman, Tashima Wildrose, Jim Brack and John Lippe -
Just a few of the volunteers who make Kitchenality so successful.

The star volunteers of Kitchenality deserve a big shout out for adapting to this changing environment, and making it safe, fun, and ultimately profitable for Kitchen Angels.

Rachel makes every shopper feel like they are right at home. Janet is dedicated to the details, bringing excellent COVID awareness. Jane can solve any problem we put in front of her and is a fast learner with a big heart. Judi is our go-to for training new volunteers.  She and her hubby Matt, are our Ebay superheros. Julia is dedicated and can do every job with grace and style. Tracey is a systems thinker and big picture problem solver. Fran is great at every job and a vital member of the team. Tashima is the best compliment-giver in Santa Fe and is willing to step up anytime. Trish is the fashion plate of Siler Rd. and has a sparkling, positive attitude. Jim has been called "the fixer" and the "day saver." He has incredible capacity and keeps a cool head when things go sideways. Sidney is an excellent conversationalist but takes no prisoners when safety is on the line. Allyja is fierce, strong, and gets monumental tasks accomplished in no time flat. Michele is a shining star and able to solve problems that nobody wants to touch. Janie is dedicated and focused. She is willing to go deep into making sure our most precious treasures are priced right. Susan is pure sunshine with a sponge and pricing gun. Helen is our patient and hardworking book curator. She makes sense of the chaos, which isn't always easy. Kate is dedicated to making sure the shelves look their best with lots fresh treasures. John has impeccable taste and makes magic by turning castoffs into treasures. Of course Kitchenality wouldn't be the store it is today without the tireless efforts of Sarah Taylor. Sarah's deep care and commitment for Kitchenality is evident in all that she does.

Thanks to each of you for hanging in there, being adaptable, and being the caring people that you are.

Kitchen Angels | 505-471-7780 | info@kitchenangels.org | http://www.kitchenangels.org
1222 Siler Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507