Hospitality House is grateful for the compassionate volunteers who support Utah’s Place by preparing meals for those in need. The small kitchen serves up to 120 individuals daily under the guidance of Chef Will Dunne-Phillips, with the assistance of eight dedicated cooking groups.
Participating in a cook group is an activity that not only makes an immediate impact on the community but also fosters a strong sense of community among the volunteers. These volunteers not only provide delicious meals but also engage with the guests staying at Utah’s Place, fostering meaningful interactions with empathy and understanding. This engagement creates a sense of community that shows each person in the dining room that they are valued and matter.
We want to thank the following cooking groups for taking the time out of their lives every month to create meal plans, go shopping, and spend their time in the kitchen at Utah’s Place. They help ease the workload on staff members, contribute to the financial well-being of Hospitality House, and ensure that the guests staying at Utah’s Place have access to tasty and nutritious meals.
The Repeat Offenders cook group has been contributing to the dinner menu at Utah’s Place for over 10 years. This group was inspired when one of the group members, Tailan’s son, came home from middle school with a small cup for the “Cup of Kindness” campaign, looking for change to help those less fortunate. This campaign inspired Tailan to reach out and take a tour of Utah’s Place to see if there was something she could do to help.
Tailan joined an existing cooking group, and when that group decided to retire, she and a couple of other members stayed on, enrolled new members, and continued to cook for the guests staying at Utah’s Place. There was a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the group members have undergone slight changes over the years. However, once volunteers were allowed back into the shelter, the cook group returned and has remained committed to making healthy meals and a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Nevada County.
When asked why they keep coming back to give of themselves, Tailan said, “We can help those less fortunate and show them that not all people are bad.” She said the reward is when their group members hear thank you from the guests. She recalled one guest who shared that the group served her the first warm meal she’d had in years, and it gave her hope and a sense of belonging. That’s when the impact of the group’s volunteer time hit home.
The Repeat Offenders Cook Group
The founding members of the Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains (UUCM) cook group, Keith and Alice, have been supporting Hospitality House since its beginning, when it was a nomadic shelter. They have been contributing financially for many years and decided to “up their game” in 2017 by starting a cooking group. With six strong members, they are a well-oiled machine, but would love it if more people joined their team.
The UUCM group prepares meals at least once a month and finds it incredibly rewarding. They are consistently humbled by all the appreciation they receive from guests. “It’s really not necessary,” Keith said, “but very inspirational.” They also give accolades to William Dunn-Phillips, the Chef at Utah’s Place, saying he is fantastic to work with and that he is always considerate of ways he can help the group. “Everything goes smoothly for us because of Will,” Keith shared.
The Ramblers cook group started with just three committed individuals three years ago. Kent and Patty, a couple from the area, and their friend Pauline are all a part of a local RV Group and wanted to give back to the community. They heard Hospitality House was looking for volunteers and decided to get involved. Their group is now 18 members strong, all of whom take an active role in the volunteer efforts. Whether it is arranging a fundraiser in their community to generate funds, cooking, and/or serving, they are all committed to supporting the shelter guests.
Kent recommends that everyone volunteer and help community members who are struggling. He stated, “People need food and shelter. They are the basics in life, and everyone deserves those things, no matter what.”
The Ramblers Cook Group
Mountain Stream Meditation got involved in volunteering at Utah’s Place 8 years ago. Their group of faithful mediators wanted to undertake a community service project. They chose Hospitality House to fulfill that mission. The group took a short break, but then COVID-19 shut down Hospitality House’s volunteer program, making the break longer than they expected. When Utah’s Place was able to accept volunteers again, Corinne, from Mountain Stream Meditation, stepped up as the lead and inspired a few volunteers to form a cook group once more. Now, three years later, they have 45 members who raise funds and food donations through the community to support their contribution as a cook group.
When asked what keeps them coming back month after month, Corinne said, “Service is a way of life. It’s wonderful to be able to provide nourishing food for those who aren’t able to fend for themselves at this point. And it’s fun! We want them to know they matter by giving them a superior meal.”
The United Way of Nevada County (UWNC) has a cook group led by a generous man named Josh. Josh has been volunteering since 2018. The UWNV group combined with another group a few years ago and currently hosts 8-10 members who work together to cover their cooking duties at Utah’s Place. Josh said he was inspired to get involved because he considers himself fortunate and wants to share that with others by helping them.
When asked why the group keeps coming back, Josh shared that “It’s the people factor.” Whether it’s engaging with group members while preparing meals or meeting guests each night while serving dinner, the people are why the group continues to show up and give. It’s fun for members to be able to cook their own favorite meal for so many people.
Dad’s Dinner group, led by a longtime local Rose, started cooking at Utah’s Place in 2023. Feeling she had an abundance to share, Rose, a retired teacher, reached out to her former teaching colleagues and hiking buddies to see if they were interested in giving back to the community. Rose enthusiastically rounded up 10 people, including her husband, who all agreed it was a great way to serve the community and enjoy some time with friends. Having so many members allows them to rotate who participates each month based on their availability, ensuring there are always enough people to cook and serve the guests year-round.
From day one, the whole group decided that they not only wanted to provide a nutritious meal, but also to offer a genuine “real home-cooked meal” experience to the guests. Comfort food that was also healthy was the goal. They came up with a hearty main course of chicken casserole that they have stuck with, while changing side dishes seasonally based on local availability. The guests at the shelter look forward to “Dad’s Dinner” every month.
Rose said she is still impressed by how excited everyone is to make a difference for someone else. “We all get as much out of it as we give, probably more than we give,” she said. The guests’ gratitude for having a “real meal,” as they call it, is very fulfilling for their group.
The Dad’s Dinner Team
The Rotary Group of Penn Valley’s cook group was established two years ago by a woman named Pam. She spoke with a friend and longtime supporter of Hospitality House, Jerianne. Jerianne made it sound fun, so Pam sat in and watched another group on their night to cook. She loved what she witnessed and decided it was an excellent idea for the Rotary Group of Penn Valley to get involved. She brought the idea to one of their meetings, and she received immediate support, and their cook group was born. They fluctuate between 7 and 8 members and are always welcoming new people to get involved.
Pam and their group are very passionate about helping those in the community who need it. She shared that they don’t see it as a “handout” at all. She explains, “Every community member is as valuable as another, and community members help each other out when needed.” She recommends that everyone try being part of a cooking group. “It will be the most rewarding meal you ever prepare, and you will never hear so many thank yous anywhere else.”
Our newest cook group, The Baha’i Team, started cooking meals for the guests staying at Utah’s Place just a few months ago. Babak and Barbara, the team leads, relocated the area and were seeking ways to get involved in the community. They heard about Hospitality House, took a tour of Utah’s Place, and decided to start a cooking group. They enjoy volunteering at Utah’s Place and are getting to know the guests and staff better with each shift.
These incredible volunteers come month after month, bringing compassion and dedication to their neighbors in need. The meals they provide are so much more than dinner – they bring consistency and care to the lives of our clients when everything else seems uncertain. Hospitality House extends its deepest gratitude to each volunteer who makes up these groups. The love and support given and expressed through action at Utah’s Place is deeply appreciated. Their commitment has a significant impact on each client they serve and on the community as a whole.
There are several openings for new cook groups to join the mission of Hospitality House and make an immediate difference in the lives of individuals facing homelessness. No experience is necessary, and training is provided. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at Hospitality House, please get in touch with the development department at 530-615-0852 or email info@hhshelter.org.