Dining with Dignity

First Monday of the month

FOOD for Lane County operates The Dining Room, a restaurant in downtown Eugene that provides dinner to everyone over 18 and children accompanied by a parent or guardian, at no cost.  The Dining Room is located at 270 W. 8th Avenue in Eugene between Lincoln and Charnelton.

The Dining Room is run like a small café—providing free, nutritious meals for low-income diners (between 250-300/day) Monday through Thursday. The food served is great tasting and has come from many generous, local donations. But it is the heart and spirit in which the food is served and received that makes the experience unique. Diners are given a warm welcome and treated with respect in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory and non-secular restaurant. Here, diners Dine with Dignity.

Our church family has provided volunteers on the first Monday of every month for many years. Signups happen in the lobby beginning a couple weeks prior to the first Monday. If you haven’t volunteered before, we encourage you to try it out.

Workers must wear closed-toed shoes and tie long hair back. Aprons are provided. Be sure to sign in on the volunteer sheet in the back room.

FOOD PREP 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m….Prepare fruit and vegetables for the meal, cut desserts, wrap dinnerware in napkins, fold aprons, put out flowers and newspapers.

SERVE 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m….Plate the meal that is always hot, good smelling, and delicious, which includes a choice of meat or vegetarian entrees. We put the food on the plates which servers bring to guests at their tables.

SERVE & CLEAN UP 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m….Plate the meal and help with some clean-up chores

Food for Lane County is now asking all volunteers who work in The Dining Room to view two videos on civil rights and food safety, which will help to clarify your responsibilities.  Thank you for your generous support!

Questions or to volunteer: Contact Valerie Hazen (541-729-5497 or email DiningRoom@fcceugene.org ) or sign up in the lobby!