CES - Community Dinner Volunteer Opportunity

About CES

Augustana Lutheran Church and Community Emergency Service (CES) share a long history of service in Minneapolis. Over 50 years ago, Augustana founded CES as one of the first downtown food shelves. Today, CES operates as its own organization but remains closely tied to Augustana, sharing space and a joint commitment to serving neighbors with dignity, compassion, and care.

One way this mission comes to life is through monthly Community Dinners, which bring neighbors together for a free meal and fellowship. Our Rotary Club will be volunteering at the October dinner—one of the first to be hosted indoors again after a summer of cookouts!

Website for more details on CES:https://cesmn.org/about-us/ 

What to Expect

Volunteers help make the evening a warm, welcoming, and smooth experience for our neighbors. Tasks include:

• Set-Up (4:30 – 5:15 PM)
  Arrange tables and chairs, set up serving stations, receive and prepare food.

• Greeting & Serving (5:00 – 6:30 PM)
  Welcome guests, serve meals, and offer hospitality.

• Connection & Conversation
  Sit with neighbors, share stories, and engage in meaningful conversation. (This relational aspect is as important as the food!)

• Clean-Up (6:30 – 7:30 PM)
  Wipe tables, stack chairs, manage leftover food, and take out garbage/recycling.

We need 6–8 Rotarians present at all times between 4:30 and 7:30 PM.

Volunteer Notes

• Full participation is ideal, but if you can only attend part of the time, please contact Nikki directly (nikki@hilotalent.com) so we can ensure coverage, especially during set-up and take-down.

• No special skills are required—just a willingness to pitch in and connect with others.

• Expect some flexibility—dinners adapt to space and turnout needs.

Why This Matters

This is more than serving dinner. It’s about strengthening community, building relationships, and showing up for neighbors in a way that reflects the Rotary spirit of Service Above Self.

Please RSVP by October 17th