On Sunday, October 27, Ripple had a very special meal. A group of friends and loved ones of Joe Weidener provided and served the meal in memory, honor, and celebration of Joey, who served and contributed generously to Ripple meals numerous times, with infectious joy! We give special thanks to that group for handling that entire meal with love!!
On Sunday, October 13, we again participated in the Allentown chapter of the annual Crop Walk. We had 12 members walk and raised over $7,000 as a team to support food insecurity!
On Saturday, September 14, the community got together at Sue’s home to enjoy live music and conversation Under the Stars. It was a great time had by all – people of all ages – coming together for fellowship, good food, fun for the kids, and s’mores.
On Sunday, August 25, the Ripple event served approximately 60 food insecure people.
On Sunday, July 28, the Ripple event was a big hit, especially with the collards (a favorite meal) that were all given out to food insecure people.
On Monday, July 15, members of the Blank Slate community worked together on the community gardens.
On Sunday, June 30, the Ripple event served approximately 50 food insecure people.
On Saturday, June 4, Members of Blank Slate had a work day at the Community Gardens, and are preparing to use some of the food at Ripple events this summer.
On Sunday, May 26, members of the Blank Slate community served about 40 food insecure people at Ripple.
On Wednesday, May 8, around 20-25 members of the Blank Slate community gathered around dessert for the second “Explore the Core” event around practicing open-mindedness.
On Sunday, April 28, members of the Blank Slate community served about 50 food insecure people at Ripple.
On Monday, April 8, around 20-25 members of the Blank Slate community gathered around soup for the first “Explore the Core” event around creating a safe place to journey.
On Sunday, March 24, members of the Blank Slate community served about 70 food insecure people at Ripple.
On Sunday, February 28, members of the Blank Slate community served food insecure people at Ripple.
On Friday, Feb. 16, the Pilgrimage group hosted An Evening Filled with Fun, Laughter and Love (Games Themed around Love).
On January 28, the community served 50-75 food insecure people at Ripple.
On Dec. 9, the community gathered for an afternoon of fellowship and fun foods at a Holiday Open House! Check out some of the fun foods below:
The November and December Ripple dinners each provided a meal to about 50-75 food insecure people.
On Nov 10, the Seeker small group hosted a community Game Night. It was an evening of fun with about 30 attendees from various groups! We had great food and a variety of small group and whole group games.
We served close to 100 meals at Ripple on September 24. Sue’s cabbage & noodles was a HUGE hit, followed by ice cream as a close second!
On September 10, members of the Interfaith group of Blank Slaters hosted the International Day of Peace potluck dinner at Kalmbach Memorial Park.
On August 7, friends and family came together to celebrate the release of “Hear Us Out; Six Questions on Belonging and Belief,” written by Blank Slate facilitator Sue Pizor Yoder and a group of 7 other collaborators. We are very excited for Sue and her team! Book available at major retailers including Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hear-us-out-sue-pizor-yoder/1142954550
On May 20 from 9:30-11:30 am, members of the Blank Slate Community had a Garden Event at First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem. They came together to work in the gardens and had a great time while doing it!
On April 15, members of the Blank Slate Community went to Butterhead Kitchen for an afternoon of cooking Vegan Picnic dishes. They had a great time and couldn’t believe everything was vegan!
On March 23, BLANK SLATE’s Ripple event served approximately 50 food insecure people.
On March 17, we had ST. PATTY’S DAY MIXER. It was a great night of fun, games, and green!
On February 26, BLANK SLATE’s Ripple event hosted taco night, and served approximately 25-30 food insecure people.
On January 23, BLANK SLATE’s Ripple event served approximately 50 food insecure people.
On October 23, BLANK SLATE’s Ripple event served approximately 45 food insecure people.
On October 2, BLANK SLATE did our part to fight food insufficiency. We walked in the 2022 CROP Hunger Walk in Allentown to support CWS and help families who are struggling with hunger.
On June 26, we served about 30 food insecure people with Ripple. We provided and shared a home-cooked meal of hamburgers and hot-dogs, pasta and cabbage, salad, and oatmeal chocolate chip bars for dessert.
On May 22, our next date to serve, Ripple held a special service to thank all its partners who have provided meals throughout the previous year and served us with a cookout meal of hamburgers and hot dogs. 5 Blank Slate community members were in attendance. This gave us a chance to learn a little bit more about Ripple’s history and to meet the other partners who provide meals to Ripple. They gave out certificates to Blank Slate members to thank them.
On April 24, we served about 30 people with Ripple.
On March 27, we served about 35 people with Ripple.
On February 27, we served about 30 meals in-person with Ripple and even more meals for take out. In addition to our prepared foods, we shared a large pan of chicken spaghetti which was going to be used to serve those without food the following day.
On January 30, we started the new year by serving some Ripple community members a warm meal of pasta and meat sauce, salad, and a brownie. It was an added treat to be asked to lead the worship service and to participate with the community.
On December 26, we served about 40 Ripple community members a Christmas meal of ham, mashed sweet potatoes, string beans, pineapple bits, Hawaiian rolls, and Christmas cookies.
On November 21, we served approximately 45 people a hearty Thanksgiving meal of meatloaf, hash brown casserole, corn w/ red pepper, and pumpkin pie.
On October 24, we helped feed approximately 30 people with Ripple. We serve kielbasa w/ onions and peppers, rolls, mac & cheese, baked beans, and a Halloween dessert of mandarin orange pumpkins, apple mouths, and banana ghosts.
On August 29, members of Blank Slate served members of the Ripple community. We were lucky enough to have a friend of Blank Slate’s cook her family recipe of collards, kale, swiss chard, ham, and potatoes. We also serve cornbread muffins and cupcakes.
On July 25, members of Blank Slate served members of the Ripple community. We served zucchini and mixed veggie lasagna, canned corn, zucchini bread muffins, rice krispy treats, and bananas.
On June 27, we helped feed approximately 50 people with Ripple. We served burgers & hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad with veggies, fruit, and brownies.
On May 30, 9 members of Blank Slate served 44 people with Ripple. We served barbecue chicken, cornbread, chopped green salad, bananas, and cookies.
Reverse Advent
Some members of the Blank Slate community collected food as part of a reverse advent calendar (for the time leading up to Christmas). They then donated them to their own local food banks.
In October, Blank Slate collected candy for Ramos Elementary School (school in center city Allentown) for Halloween. We sent 600 pieces of candy.
On October 10, members of the Blank Slate community walked the long loop of the Fish Hatchery Parkway (6 miles) and raised approximately $5,500 to help feed the hungry! THANKS to everyone who supported the CROP Walk.
On May 10, two teams of four Blank Slate women participated in She Nailed It!, a super fun nail-hammering competition that raises money for Habitat’s Women Build initiative. Blank Slate raised a combined $4,135 for Habitat for Humanity!
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Blank Slate co-sponsored 9 sessions of “The Quest.” The Quest is a virtual gathering that encourages a safe, interactive and meaningful experience through creative workshops.
Here is a sampling of the kinds of workshops The Quest offered to recharge your battery during Covid 19, from July 2020 – Feb 2022:
Tai Chi for Beginners, Hand Massage, Sharing Your Favorite Poem(s), Dancing Mindfulness, Steer Your Story: Allowing Yourself to Let Go, Four Breaths for Well Being, Guided Meditative Practice, Accepting Your Imperfections, Simple Sewn Greeting Cards, Beginning Yoga, Therapeutic Elements of Acting, Improv to Get Rid of old Baggage
In the holiday season of thanksgiving, the Blank Slate community raised $2,200 to Fill the Ark for Heifer International! To learn more about Heifer International, click here.
