MAY 2024

Greetings Tony,

"'Tis like the birthday of the world,

When earth was born in bloom;

The light is made of many dyes,

The air is all perfume:

There's crimson buds, and white and blue,

The very rainbow showers

Have turned to blossoms where they fell,

And sown the earth with flowers."

~ Thomas Hood

We couldn't have done it without you!

We are grateful to everyone who participated in our 25th annual Angels Dine Out. Once again, it was a great success thanks to such overwhelming community support.

One hundred and twenty-two volunteers donated 469 hours to make the event happen and our 107 volunteer ambassadors brought in over $56,000 through table-top donation envelopes, which is a new record. Without our ambassadors and the conversations they have with diners, we wouldn't bring in half as many donations during Angels Dine Out. In addition to the ambassadors, we had four volunteers hang posters around town leading up to the event, and 10 volunteers counting donations the day after. It takes a village to make this event a reality every year, and we're always deeply grateful that so many good people step forward each year.

Please remember to thank the restaurants who participated by supporting them throughout the year. A word of appreciation for their commitment to Kitchen Angels goes a long way to ensure they continue to support our organization for years to come.

Do you have a friend or contact at a restaurant that doesn't participate in Angels Dine Out, but should? Introduce us so we can get them on board for next year. Reach out to Dwayne in the front office: dtrujillo@kitchenangels.org .

Congratulations to Julia Dakenjen, who was the winner of this year's Angels Dine Out drawing. Julia dined at Tune Up Cafe and had a wonderful meal and she told us this was the first time she's ever won anything. Sounds like her luck is changing! Julia was kind enough to donate $100 of the prize money back to Kitchen Angels. It's always so much fun to give one lucky diner this prize each year, especially when the winner is a generous and grateful person.

There is still time to RSVP for the Flowers, Fruit & Vegetables Hungry for Art Exhibition and Sale. The event will be held

Saturday, May 4 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Tickets are free, but you must click here to reserve yours before the event.

This unique art exhibition, curated by local artists Janet O'Neal and Daithi Kelley, features stunning artworks inspired by flowers, fruit and vegetables. More than 40 artists will show panels that they painted, sketched or photographed, as well as mixed media and ceramic pieces. All proceeds will benefit Kitchen Angels.

Beverages and culinary delights will be served and live music will be performed by The Bohemiacs.

"The new meals are great!" ~Emily S

"Good job, good job! Whoever came up with this idea [referring to their first Encore Bites snack box delivery] deserves a gold star and a week off with pay! Thank you to whoever is responsible. In a world full of bad surprises, it means so much to get a good surprise! (client response to receiving their first Encore Bite snack box deliver)" ~Eric G

"I’m enjoying the food every day. The salmon with sweet potatoes was the best! The variety and quality of food is wonderful."  ~ Jessica R

"I just finished the Zucchini Boats. Absolutely delicious – I’m stuffed!"  ~Susan H

"I sit here in anticipation of delivery every day. The food tastes like you have hired a chef from a Canyon Road restaurant. Whatever the change is, everything is great." ~John J

"I’m very appreciative of the new tracks and the different things that everybody's been doing. I really appreciate the effort that people have been putting in, from the cook to everyone and everything - a big thank you." ~Amy N

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Kitchen Angels delivery drivers are the volunteers who typically have the most face-to-face contact with our clients. And while we regularly share comments and stories from clients about the impact of our program or their interactions with delivery drivers, we don't always stop to reflect on the impact clients have on drivers or the many small ways our drivers help clients beyond simply delivering meals.

This October marks 10 years that John Forsdale has delivered meals for Kitchen Angels clients. After retiring, John joined his wife Diane, who had been volunteering with Kitchen Angels for the previous 19 years. John found his niche with meal delivery, and we couldn't be happier to celebrate his 10 year service anniversary in 2024!

"I have been a food delivery driver for Kitchen Angels for a number of years (6??) and I highly recommend it. It's a genuinely good thing to do for our community and I find it very rewarding. My clients are always thankful for the food I bring and I am often inspired by these wonderful people, many of whom are dealing with serious health and life issues. They teach me about strength and resilience and coping. I feel that I get back more than I give out. It's very good for my soul and so easy to do. I am grateful for Kitchen Angels too!" ~ John Forsdale 

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We want to hear from our delivery drivers about your experiences as a driver and how clients may have had an impact on you. Send your thoughts or stories to info@kitchenangels.org. Please let us know if we can use your name. Use the words "Driver Stories" in the subject line.

One of the many changes that occurred as a result of the pandemic has been the increased cost of food. Between 2019 and 2023, overall food prices increased by 25% compared to the previous 20-year period that saw an average 2.5% annual inflation. For folks looking to spend less on groceries, here are some tips from US News for keeping your grocery bill down.

Reducing food waste by meal planning and batch cooking are two tried and true ways to stretch a dollar in the kitchen. There's an entire website created by the government of Ireland, that is dedicated to this very topic: Stopfoodwaste.ie. Although National Stop Food Waste day was last week, we know how important it is to practice this every day.

Most food prepping recipes consist of hearty soups, stews and casseroles that heat up nicely. But what can be done during the warmer months, when soup isn't in rotation as much? For prepping in the spring and early summer, look to sauces that can be frozen, smoothie packets, and extra portions of pizza and pie dough. The less stove/oven time, the better!

The perfect spring food that takes little, if any cooking is salad. And, it just so happens to be National Salad month! Lovers of salad don't need an excuse to enjoy crunchy greens all throughout the year, but it's always nice when frost-hardy greens make their garden entrance. Local Farmers Markets are in full swing and there is a bounty of spring greens to choose from. But don't think for a second that you need greens to make a salad.

Delish has an incredible list of 50 Best Spring Salads for 2024. The wildly popular (in southeast Asia) Som Tum, aka Green Papaya Salad, made the list. If you haven't tried this delight, put it on your culinary bucket list. Lauren created a version of this Asian classic. You can find most of the ingredients at Santa Fe Asian Market on St. Michael's Drive. Enjoy!

This Moroccan Carrot Salad looks like a winner as well.

KITCHENALITY

It's Spring!

Come check out our ever-changing assortment of fabulous entertainment-ware and stock up for your al fresco gatherings.

Remember, we always need your donations, especially kitchen basics such as pots and pans, cooking utensils, measuring cups, and baking dishes and pans. Donations are accepted during store hours. Remember, one hundred percent of your donations and purchases support Kitchen Angels' meal delivery program. It just doesn't get any better!

Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM and Saturdays, 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Also, former Kitchen Angels Chef, Joe Cates, will be back at Kitchenality sharpening garden tools and knives on May 18 and again on July 20. Joe's regular rates will apply.

Come by from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. He will be sharpening

onsite. Or, if you'd rather not wait, you can drop items that day

and pick them up at the store the following Tuesday. 

You can always follow KITCHENALITY on Facebook and Instagram.

Kitchen Angels Recipe Box

Kitchenality volunteer Michele Roussell swears by these cookies, which are her husband's favorite. She makes them for special occasions, always to rave reviews. Credit for the recipe goes to Giada De Laurentiis and it can be found at the Food Network. What makes them special is the chocolate thin mints that flavor each one.

Double Chocolate & Mint Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces semisweet or bittersweet (60-percent) chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• One 5-ounce package chocolate mint thins, such as Andes, each cut into thirds

PREPARATION

1. Place one oven rack in the center of the oven and one oven rack in the bottom third and preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine the bittersweet chocolate and butter. Place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
3. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, two tablespoons of water and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients. Fold in the cooled chocolate. Stir in the chocolate mint pieces. Chill the dough 10 minutes to make it slightly firm.
5. Using 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop six mounds of batter onto each prepared sheet, spacing evenly apart.
6. Bake the cookies nine minutes. Reverse the baking sheets (top to bottom) and continue baking until the cookies are slightly puffed and dry looking with some small cracks on top, nine to ten minutes longer. Cool the cookies completely on sheets (they may deflate slightly as they cool).

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If you'd like to contribute a recipe, send your selection to info@kitchenangels.org by the 15th of the month to be considered for inclusion in the next month's Halo Headlines. Use the word "Recipe" in the subject line and tell us your name, how long you've been volunteering with Kitchen Angels, and what your volunteer job is. If it's a "borrowed" recipe, give credit. If you have a photo, send it along.

We're always looking for volunteers. If you're interested in a regular shift or to be placed on our substitute volunteer list, OR if you know someone who's interested, please contact Crystal Hena, Volunteer Coordinator.

Here are the latest opportunities:

Continuing Education

We've talked about National Bike Month in the past, but it's always worth repeating. May is absolutely filled to the brim with bicycling events. If you're new to biking, or consider it a big part of your life, there's surely something fun to engage in during the month.

If you're someone who likes to participate in special days/weeks/months, check the dates above. Hop on your bike during National Ride a Bike Day, Bike to Work Week, and Bike to Work Day (if you can't make it for the whole week).

In addition to national bike days, Santa Fe has many events that are bike-centric.

Broken Spoke at 1426 Cerrillos Rd. is holding two bike repair clinics on May 2 & May 16 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The focus will be on tires and roadside repairs. Sign up for the event online.

There’s a bike-in dance party in our neighborhood on Saturday, May 4^th from 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm. Ride your bike to Ghost at 2889 Trades West Road for an afternoon of poetry, piñatas, snacks, temporary tattoos, and a parking lot dance party. The event is free with a suggested donation of $10-$15.

The annual Santa Fe Bike Swap is Sunday, May 5^th this year. Pop over to Betterday Coffee parking lot at 913 W. Alameda between 9 am – 12:30 pm. There will be over 50 sellers! Do you have a bike to sell? Click here for details about how to reserve a table or consign your bike.

Rob and Charlie’s is holding a bike maintenance class over the course of four weeks: May 14, 21, and 28 and June 4. Sign up by emailing bikesantafe@gmail.com .

Check out the entire calendar of events for May and for specific details on each event.

Santa Fe is becoming increasingly bike-friendly and we love that! Kitchen Angels welcomes volunteers bicycling in for their shift (except perhaps delivery drivers). As the weather warms, there's nothing like ditching the car and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of Santa Fe in the spring.

Community Connections

Kitchen Angels has been hosting more visiting volunteer groups lately, for team-building events. This past month the kitchen saw volunteers from PNM (meter readers), Living our Faith service group, and Enterprise Bank & Trust. Now that we are cooking more involved (and delicious) recipes for our clients, we require more volunteer hands. We're grateful these groups are stepping forward to make the work lighter. Please welcome our guests with openness, showing them what a friendly community we have here at Kitchen Angels.

Thank You

One of our clients' favorite part of their meals is the dessert. So much love and delicious ingredients go into each dessert that comes out of our kitchen. If you work Monday or Thursday, then you've probably seen our bakers hard at work. Maria Goldstein has been cooking and baking for Kitchen Angels for eight years now. Not only does she create her own fantastic recipes to serve our clients, but she used to lead teams of corporate volunteers in baking projects.

Naomi Kroencke has volunteered for four years and is our Thursday baker. We love the joy that goes into each treat she makes for our homebound clients.

If you would like to participate as a Kitchen Angels baker, please let Crystal know and we can get you in on the action.

We LOVE celebrating our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week. This year we served Frito pies to our intrepid volunteers. It's a small gesture compared to the significant contribution all of you offer the Santa Fe community by volunteering your time at Kitchen Angels. If you didn't have the chance to come in and enjoy a meal on us, please know you are still greatly appreciated.