Image Credit: Faith in Action DC

About Grate Patrol

In January 1981, one parishioner went out and distributed beef soup and bologna sandwiches to homeless people sleeping on grates. Since then, the program has transformed into twice weekly food distributions and a brief winter homeless shelter. With their work, volunteers not only distribute needed sustenance but also provide simple human interaction and respect.

Food Distribution

When? Saturday mornings at 5:45 AM.
How Long? ​3 hours, but volunteers can speed up or slow down their pace.
What? Grate patrollers distribute bagged breakfast/coffee and other items along pre-established routes in the Georgetown and Mall Areas of D.C. 
Volunteers drive and keep and eye out for potential people in need. At certain locations, volunteers can park and walk to multiple people at one stop.

Food Preparation

Buyers
When? Anytime Monday-Thursday.
How Long? 1.5-2 hours.
What? Volunteers purchase and deliver food supplies to the church.
Egg Boilers
When? Anytime before Friday afternoon.
How Long? 2-2.5 hours.
What? Volunteers boil around 378 eggs each week to include in breakfast bags.
Sandwich Filling-Makers
When? Friday at 11:30 AM.
How Long? Around 1 hour.
What? Volunteers prepare spreads for the sandwiches (usually tuna or pimento cheese).
Bag Setter-Uppers
​When? Friday at 11:30 AM.
How Long? With 1 person, it usually takes 30 minutes.
What? Volunteers prepare bags for being filled at a later time.
Sandwich Makers and Bag Fillers
When? Friday at 11:30 AM.
How Long? With 10 people, it usually takes 1.5 hours.
What? Volunteers make around 378 sandwiches and fill bags with the completed breakfasts.

Winter Shelter

The winter shelter is organized by Georgetown Ministry Center, with St. Paul's hosting it for two weeks (every year in January). Families or groups of volunteers sign up to make dinner for all the shelter inhabitants for one night. There are usually around 12 inhabitants. If you have worked with Grate Patrol in the past, you will receive an email with information on volunteering at the shelter. If not, please send an email in December expressing your interest.

First Time?

If it's your first time distributing food, you will be paired with veteran volunteers who know the route and process well. We want to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

History

Interested to see how it all began? Read the file below on the history of Grate Patrol.