Hot Soup
Days
Our Mission
To serve Allah (God) {Glorified and Exalted be HE}
by helping our neighbours with the basic human
necessities, primarily through a scrumptious meal
served with the highest standard of care in an
atmosphere of warmth and understanding.
Days
Our Mission
To serve Allah (God) {Glorified and Exalted be HE}
by helping our neighbours with the basic human
necessities, primarily through a scrumptious meal
served with the highest standard of care in an
atmosphere of warmth and understanding.
How This Family Was Built…
Assalaamu A’laikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu.
All Praises are for God (Glorified and Exalted be HE) for giving us the opportunity to serve and for making the 1st year of Islamic Foundation of Toronto’s, Hot Soup Days(HSD) a success. Borne out of a strong desire to help those in need, this initiative was launched as a pilot project last year. The idea was simple; create a restaurant‐style atmosphere, fill it with warmth and compassion then throw open the doors.
As the only Saturday meal service in the East End, it didn’t take long for HSD to establish itself as a well known initiative that the community could come to rely on. What started out serving 10‐15 guests on a weekly basis soon turned into an interactive experience complete with smiling ushers, welcoming hosts and busy servers. Our commitment to providing nutritious meals in this high‐energy environment has garnered such attention that guests travel from throughout the GTA to be served. Let’s take a closer look at what we were able to accomplish over the past year:
Volunteers:
• HSD has come to be known as a friendly, family‐oriented environment for volunteers.
So much so, that we have people coming from as far as Mississauga and Oakville.
• Many organizations have provided their support by sending volunteers or contributing in some manner. These include Young Muslims, IMO, CAMP, Celebrate Us’, ISL and Islamic Foundation School.
• Many youths join us to fulfill their community hours for high school graduation.
Guests:
• We consistently serve 60‐65 guests on a weekly basis. Additionally, 400‐450 meals are
prepared for delivery to local shelters and families.
• We are currently in consultation with a nutritionist to help ensure our meals are
nutritionally balanced.
• We distribute clothes, gifts and food items on special occasions.
Community at Large:
• HSD has received some notable community recognition including:
√ A letter of recognition from the Mayor of Toronto (David Miller)
√ An article in NOW magazine.
√ Letters of Appreciation from Local Shelters.
√ Personal encouragement from Police Chief Bill Blair & other community leaders.
• We are currently in conversation with other sections of government to help expand the
program.
Glory be to Allah (God) {SWT} for blessing us with the capacity to give and the
opportunity to fulfill our religious obligation.
ʺHe who spends his wealth for increase in self‐purification, and has in his mind no favour from
anyone for which a reward is expected in return; except only the desire to seek the Countenance of His Lord, the Most High. He surely will be pleased (when he enters paradise).ʺ
(Al‐Quraʹan; Surah 92‐Ayah 18‐21).
Our Mission Explained
This initiative was started and maintained over the last year with the dedication and
loyalty of hard‐working volunteers from all faiths and backgrounds. A need was clearly identified in the local community which Allah (God) {SWT} has blessed us to help fulfill. We are encouraged and obligated to achieve excellence in everything we do, and Alhamdolellah (All Praise is for God) this has been demonstrated with the success of Hot Soup Days.
We started this project with the goal of providing our guests with a well‐prepared meal in a restaurant‐style environment that allows them to be served. This was achieved Alhamdolellah (All Praise is for God) through the fulfillment of our different roles.The road ahead necessitates each of us make a personal commitment to maintain this high standard of care. Indeed, we should view this as a duty and obligation, especially given how the profile of Hot Soup Days has grown with more people now relying on us as their weekly “pick me up”. It is this increased dependence which will not only present us with many challenges, but also give us the opportunity to become better at serving others. Insha’ Allah, (God Willing) it is your continued loyalty and dedication which will ensure that Hot Soup Days always offers our guests more than just a hot meal, rather it provides a place where they can feel looked after and also get food for soul.
In the spirit of maintaining our service levels, we have attempted to streamline the
position responsibilities in order to do things better and more efficiently. You will notice that each position now has times in which the individual should arrive, along with some key accountabilities of each position.
Responsibilities
Ushers (Hours 10:15 - 13:00)
The Ushers role in general is to help maintain the safety and integrity of the facility during the hours of operation of Hot Soup Days. Additionally, since this role represents the first contact for our guests, it is important to be genuine, warm and smiling. Once the guests arrive, the usher is to escort them to the host station.
The main responsibilities are…
• Ensure the integrity and safety of the facility is maintained while keeping a very
warm and polite demeanor.
• With a smile, escort guests form the front door to the Host Station
• Keep close watch of the different stairwells leading to other parts of the facility.
• Escort guests if they need to use the washroom facilities
Host (Hours 10:45 – 13:00)
As the main greeter to the restaurant, the host should always maintain a very welcoming
expression to all our guests and kindly escort each guest/family to their table. Further, the
host should track all guests that arrive in the tracking sheet to help us to get a better idea
of the circumstances of our guests and help us better serve them moving forward.
The main responsibilities are…
• Keep accurate information about the numbers of the guests and place of origin.
• Escort our guests to the tables.
• Ensure presence at the Host table to hand out bus tokens.
• Work with the Ushers to ensure integrity of the hallway.
• Work with the delivery coordinator to determine final numbers of individuals
served each day.
Servers (Hours 10:15 – 13:30)
This position is setting the tone and atmosphere of Hot Soup Day. The server is in the most direct contact with the guests, and thus their disposition is key to helping create the atmosphere of both love and understanding. By providing efficient and kind service, we can ensure that our guests feel the caring indicative of being a Muslim.
The main responsibilities are…
• Set up the tables before the restaurant opens.
• Greet the guests as they arrive and introduce them to the menu for the day.
• Serve the food in a timely manner and clear plates as required.
• Maintain visibility so as to respond to the needs of our guests.
• Ensure the beverage station is always clean and fully stocked.
Kitchen Coordinators (Hours 10:15 – 13:30)
The role of the kitchen coordinator is to help in providing our guests with an appetizing meal achieved through good presentation and efficient flow from the main kitchen to the servers.
• Setup the area and take the orders.
• Plate the food in an appetizing fashion.
• Keep area clean and orderly.
• Help the sisters’ area with any major cleaning near the end of the shift.
Chefs and Cooks (Hours 9:00 – 13:30)
This role can be seen as the main engine of Hot Soup Days. Since the main purpose of this initiative is to feed, the preparers of the food are the backbone. By careful attention to detail and maintaining a very high standard of care, we can offer our guests top quality food prepared in a top quality manner.
• Ensuring all surfaces are sanitized and ready for food preparation
• Working together efficiently in a team atmosphere
• Preparing the food ensuring the “Niya”(intention) is to serve Allah (SWT).
Food Preparation Team (Hours 9:00 – 11:30)
One of our HSDʹs greatest accomplishments is that our menu is prepared fresh each
morning. Because of this, the sisters who are part of this team need to arrive early in order to do the necessary preparations for the cooking. The key to this position is attention to detail with a focus on cleanliness and quality preparation.
• Provide key help to Chef and Cooks in finalizing food preparation.
• Ensure area remains clean and abide by hygiene protocol at all times.
• Continually engage in clean up activities throughout the day to maintain the
highest standards of cleanliness.
Delivery Team (Hours 11:30 – 13:00)
This role is paramount in providing help and support in a timely manner to our local
shelters and families who cannot join us in person. Since they do not get to experience the efficiency and friendliness of our service, it is very important for them to feel it in the delivery process. Because of this, the delivery team’s punctuality and conduct are essential to delivering our brand of warmth and compassion.
• To ensure the food arrives hot, delivery persons need to arrive on time and deliver
the food efficiently.
• Take the time to ensure proper care of food is maintained during transportation.
• To foster the feeling of warmth, delivery should always be made with a smile.
• In the spirit of safety, delivery persons should never enter homes or
shelters unless absolutely necessary and agreed upon by guests.
The Ushers role in general is to help maintain the safety and integrity of the facility during the hours of operation of Hot Soup Days. Additionally, since this role represents the first contact for our guests, it is important to be genuine, warm and smiling. Once the guests arrive, the usher is to escort them to the host station.
The main responsibilities are…
• Ensure the integrity and safety of the facility is maintained while keeping a very
warm and polite demeanor.
• With a smile, escort guests form the front door to the Host Station
• Keep close watch of the different stairwells leading to other parts of the facility.
• Escort guests if they need to use the washroom facilities
Host (Hours 10:45 – 13:00)
As the main greeter to the restaurant, the host should always maintain a very welcoming
expression to all our guests and kindly escort each guest/family to their table. Further, the
host should track all guests that arrive in the tracking sheet to help us to get a better idea
of the circumstances of our guests and help us better serve them moving forward.
The main responsibilities are…
• Keep accurate information about the numbers of the guests and place of origin.
• Escort our guests to the tables.
• Ensure presence at the Host table to hand out bus tokens.
• Work with the Ushers to ensure integrity of the hallway.
• Work with the delivery coordinator to determine final numbers of individuals
served each day.
Servers (Hours 10:15 – 13:30)
This position is setting the tone and atmosphere of Hot Soup Day. The server is in the most direct contact with the guests, and thus their disposition is key to helping create the atmosphere of both love and understanding. By providing efficient and kind service, we can ensure that our guests feel the caring indicative of being a Muslim.
The main responsibilities are…
• Set up the tables before the restaurant opens.
• Greet the guests as they arrive and introduce them to the menu for the day.
• Serve the food in a timely manner and clear plates as required.
• Maintain visibility so as to respond to the needs of our guests.
• Ensure the beverage station is always clean and fully stocked.
Kitchen Coordinators (Hours 10:15 – 13:30)
The role of the kitchen coordinator is to help in providing our guests with an appetizing meal achieved through good presentation and efficient flow from the main kitchen to the servers.
• Setup the area and take the orders.
• Plate the food in an appetizing fashion.
• Keep area clean and orderly.
• Help the sisters’ area with any major cleaning near the end of the shift.
Chefs and Cooks (Hours 9:00 – 13:30)
This role can be seen as the main engine of Hot Soup Days. Since the main purpose of this initiative is to feed, the preparers of the food are the backbone. By careful attention to detail and maintaining a very high standard of care, we can offer our guests top quality food prepared in a top quality manner.
• Ensuring all surfaces are sanitized and ready for food preparation
• Working together efficiently in a team atmosphere
• Preparing the food ensuring the “Niya”(intention) is to serve Allah (SWT).
Food Preparation Team (Hours 9:00 – 11:30)
One of our HSDʹs greatest accomplishments is that our menu is prepared fresh each
morning. Because of this, the sisters who are part of this team need to arrive early in order to do the necessary preparations for the cooking. The key to this position is attention to detail with a focus on cleanliness and quality preparation.
• Provide key help to Chef and Cooks in finalizing food preparation.
• Ensure area remains clean and abide by hygiene protocol at all times.
• Continually engage in clean up activities throughout the day to maintain the
highest standards of cleanliness.
Delivery Team (Hours 11:30 – 13:00)
This role is paramount in providing help and support in a timely manner to our local
shelters and families who cannot join us in person. Since they do not get to experience the efficiency and friendliness of our service, it is very important for them to feel it in the delivery process. Because of this, the delivery team’s punctuality and conduct are essential to delivering our brand of warmth and compassion.
• To ensure the food arrives hot, delivery persons need to arrive on time and deliver
the food efficiently.
• Take the time to ensure proper care of food is maintained during transportation.
• To foster the feeling of warmth, delivery should always be made with a smile.
• In the spirit of safety, delivery persons should never enter homes or
shelters unless absolutely necessary and agreed upon by guests.
Hot Soup Days
If You Or Anyone You May Know That Would Be Interested In Volunteering for the sake of Allah(swt) go to this link so that you can get a form in order to volunteer, as well as more information about Islamic Foundation.
http://www.islamicfoundation.ca/uploads/3k1SMSqcpZ43BgEoXg1ZdQ/HSD_Appreciation_Packageweb.pdf
If You Or Anyone You May Know That Would Be Interested In Volunteering for the sake of Allah(swt) go to this link so that you can get a form in order to volunteer, as well as more information about Islamic Foundation.
http://www.islamicfoundation.ca/uploads/3k1SMSqcpZ43BgEoXg1ZdQ/HSD_Appreciation_Packageweb.pdf
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