Evening Meal Program
Serving our Community
This program has been temporarily suspended until further notice
Meals served to our guests last year.
34 Volunteer Teams with over 2,500 volunteer hours provided, prepared and served meals.
Donations Hours and Updates
Donation Hours
Monday: 10am – 5pm
Tuesday: CLOSED to donations, Client Shopping ONLY
Wednesday: 10am – 5pm
Thursday: CLOSED to donations, Client Shopping ONLY
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday: 10am – 2:30pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Due to our limited space, donations are limited to 6 bags or boxes per day. We are also asking that for the safety of our staff and volunteers, these bags and boxes weigh NO MORE than 25lbs. We appreciate your generosity and understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Evening Meal Program?
Through our evening meals, we provide nutritious and filling meals for those who are hungry in our community.
Who provides these meals?
- Over 35 teams of people from local churches, businesses, and families provide the food, prepare it, and serve it.
How is the program organized and managed?
The program is managed by a coordinator who volunteers her time and service. Volunteers provide security, help with set-up and clean-up as well as assembling meals for distribution. The meal program site is the National Guard Armory in downtown Puyallup. St. Francis House rents the space used for the program.
How can I help?
Volunteers are always welcome to help with set-up, clean-up, and security. Additional meal-providing teams are also welcome. Financial contributions to help with rent and supplies are a great support to the program.
Who comes to the evening meals?
A variety of people who are hungry are our dinner guests. Some are the unhoused living in our community. Some are temporary workers moving from job to job. Some are families whose food stamps don’t last a full month. Others are families living in the cars who are hoping for a hot meal for their children and themselves. A small group of seniors supplement their budgets and form a small supportive community by becoming regular dinner guests.
When and how are the meals served?
Normally, meals are served each weeknight at 6:00 pm. Guests are seated at tables in the Armory and served from a serving table by the assigned meal-providing team.
During the months of COVID-19 restrictions, meals are packaged in to-go bags and handed out to guests between 5:30 and 6:00 each weeknight except for Tuesdays.
How long has this program existed?
The evening meal program began in 1994 when the St. Francis House Board realized that many clothing bank clients were using their food money to pay rent and often going hungry.
They began offering a meal one night per week; soon other churches and families joined them, being assigned one night per month.
All our services and programs are offered free of charge
We exist to improve the lives of those in need.
Stories of Hope
Tyler and Sam
Tyler and Sam, four and 2 years old respectively, were very busy while their parents talked with a St. House volunteer. The two small boys sat in the middle of the toy corner with a loaf of bread between them. Not a word was spoken between them as they set about the...
It makes me feel respected
Terri is a single mom who escaped an abusive marriage and moved to Washington and started the long road of getting back on solid ground. A friend where Terri worked told her about St. Francis House. She was able to find work clothes, clothing for the kids along with...
Cheri’s Tear
Cheri's tear-filled eyes and clipped speech betrayed her tension as she approached the volunteer at the check-in desk in the clothing bank. "I just couldn't get here on my shopping day. I didn't have anyone to watch my kids and we need shoes for the cold weather. The...
A Client’s Words
Volunteer Opportunities
— Tami L.
Giving Opportunities
— Tom C.
Shop the Nook
The Nook is a charity boutique operated by St. Francis House. The Nook sells “twice-loved” treasures at low prices in person at our Main Street location or in our online store.
