Petaluma native Patricia Moats volunteers twice a week at Mary’s Table at COTS as a lead dinner cook. That means she comes in and takes charge just before our chef goes home for the day. COTS gives her an assortment of ingredients and a few suggestions, but she has wide latitude in what she and her team make for the evening meal to serve over 100 people.
“There’s a lot of creativity on the spur of the moment, and we really like that,” Patricia says.
A small farmer herself, Patricia puts a premium on using as many fruits and vegetables as possible.
She leads by joking, kidding and cajoling—not fiat—and laughter is louder than the clatter of pots and pans when Patricia is in charge.
“I hate to brag, but all of us on my team, sometimes we are so amazed that no matter how complicated and time-consuming a menu might be, we always get the meal out on time. We are ready to serve by 5 sharp. It just all comes together.” Every day, Patricia can count on at least one miracle to ensure that the meal is incredible. On a recent Friday, for example, some volunteers from The Coast Guard showed up out of the blue just when Patricia was short-staffed. “It’s a triumph every meal. We look at each other and say, ‘We did that!’.”
The triumph is not just culinary. “Every meal is a chance to help people feel better,” Patricia says. Recently, for example, Taco Night turned into a fiesta when volunteers streamed mariachi music into the dining room and residents and other diners began to dance. “It was spectacular! It’s the kind of thing people need.”
Patricia’s prep teams and service teams often include COTS residents. “This has been the best part of the job for me,” Patricia says. “If I didn’t volunteer there, I might still feel uncomfortable around people who are homeless. There are so many stereotypes. But I discovered that there are a lot of really nice people at COTS that have had some pretty bad luck or made some bad decisions. They’re wonderful people. They work hard and they want the same things I do.”
“There’s so much gratification in working with my team and with residents. All of it makes my life better. Whatever you give, you get back. If it comes from the heart, you’re going to get that back, and that’s just a beautiful feeling.”
An accident of fate brought Patricia to COTS three years ago. Newly retired from the U.S. Postal Service, Patricia was taking advantage of her freedom and rafting on the Russian River. Heading home, she took an illegal left turn and was cited by the Highway Patrol. She chose 16 hours of community service for COTS instead of a fine. “I had fun, so I stayed,” she says. She’s given us nearly 700 hours of her time and talent since then.
The rest of her time? Patricia swims, grows fruits and vegetables and does yoga. Most importantly, she helps care for her 7-month-old granddaughter.
If you’re thinking of volunteering at Mary’s Table, “Jump in,” Patricia advises. “You’ll have fun, you’ll meet wonderful people, you’ll get an understanding for what people are going through.”
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