Every December, after the Homeless Memorial March & Service, something remarkable happens. People who have walked in grief, solidarity, and remembrance gather around tables for a warm, comforting meal—an act of community quietly sustained for more than three decades by volunteers from Minnetonka United Methodist Church.
At the center of this tradition is a longtime leader who stepped into the role in 2016, Kathy Arendt. She never expected to guide a large community dinner, nor did she imagine herself in a volunteer leadership capacity. But once she began serving monthly meals at Simpson’s shelter, something shifted.
“There was an opportunity,” Kathy said simply. “Volunteering to welcome people with a home-cooked meal felt meaningful—about good food, warm welcomes, and being present.”
That spirit has guided her ever since.
A Tradition Rooted in Care
Minnetonka United Methodist Church has served meals at Simpson’s extended-stay shelter for more than 35 years, and the annual Homeless Memorial community dinner grew from that deep partnership.
Over the decades, it became a cherished ritual for the congregation. Each year, volunteers come together to prepare and serve a full holiday meal—turkey, dessert, and all the delicious sides. Volunteers of all ages experience the march, many for the first time, often asking thoughtful questions that stay with them.
For many years, the Homeless Memorial was hosted at Simpson’s original shelter site at Simpson United Methodist Church. The community dinner filled the church basement, and at its peak, more than 350 guests gathered for the meal after the service.
“I remember the room being absolutely packed,” Kathy recalled. “As soon as that first person came through the line, it felt special. When people started arriving for the meal, it was such a happy occasion. People were grateful, and we were all smiling—together. And that’s still how it feels.”
In 2019, the service moved to Plymouth Congregational Church. Even as locations shifted, the heart of the tradition remained the same: honor loss and then sit together in comfort.
Looking Toward the Future
Attendance shifted during the COVID pandemic, and over time the transition from the service to the meal has meant some people leave before heading to the community room. In response, Simpson introduced a direct invitation at the end of the service to encourage more people to stay and gather.
The future of the dinner may evolve as participation changes. But what will remain constant is the spirit behind it.
“The awareness the Homeless Memorial creates, the support from the community, the meal afterward—it all matters,” Kathy explained.
The tradition is already in capable hands, with experienced volunteers who have been part of the effort for years. The hope is that someday, new hands will rise to carry it forward.
Why the Meal Matters
Guests arrive at the dinner after participating in a deeply emotional experience. Some walk in memory of a person they met on the street who was experiencing homelessness. Others honor family members and friends who died while experiencing homelessness, or advocates who stood alongside them. All arrive carrying stories of loss—and strength.
“People carry signs with names. They march in the cold. They hold so much emotion,” Kathy said. “When they come inside afterward, we welcome them with a nice holiday meal. I want them to feel well fed and comforted.”
For Kathy, the meaning goes beyond food.
“So many people are navigating complex systems and challenges,” she reflected. “No one to support them when things spiral out of control. No family nearby. No one to guide them through systems that can be overwhelming.
And those of us who can show up alongside one another. That’s what Simpson Housing Services does. That’s what many community partners do.”
The meal becomes a visible sign that people are not alone, that community belongs to all of us.
Two Guiding Principles
For more than three decades, the Minnetonka UMC congregation has anchored this work in two simple values:
Feed people well. “Good food matters. People deserve that.”
Stay organized but stay flexible. From managing 35 volunteers to rethinking how to prepare a holiday meal for hundreds of people, she has learned that community work is part planning, part improvisation.
Kathy’s hope is that others discover the same unexpected joy in leading.
“You don’t have to be perfect,” she said. “If you’ve served a couple of times, you can lead the next time. That’s what I always tell people.”
Come Enjoy the Meal
If you attend the Homeless Memorial March & Service, consider staying for the meal afterward. Sit with neighbors, share stories, and be part of how community care reshapes a difficult night into one of connection.
And if you feel a pull to serve, to organize, or someday to lead, you’ll be stepping into a long, meaningful lineage.
As Kathy put it: “You show up. And that makes a difference and brings the community together.”
This community holiday meal continues because ordinary people keep showing up. Someone taught them. Someone welcomed them. Someone handed them instructions—and then stepped back.
Maybe someday, that someone could be you.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Homeless Memorial March & Service or learning more about Simpson volunteer opportunities, please email us here.