Sophia’s Kitchen, a continuation of the Sacred Heart Sandwich Program in Peoria, is in need of a few more “angels” in the weeks ahead to help with its programs for the homeless, unemployed and under-employed people served there. All events will take place in the parish hall at St. Joseph Church, 103 Richard Pryor Place.

Opportunities to help include:

— Thursday, Nov. 21: A turkey dinner will be served in conjunction with the Great American Smoke-out. A representative from the Hult Center for Health Education will speak individually with clients to assist them in their efforts to quit smoking. Volunteers are needed to wait tables and help with clean-up.

— Friday, Dec. 6: St. Nicholas will visit patrons to tell them about his feast day and hand out small gifts of socks, gloves and scarves. A chili dinner will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donations are needed to cover the cost of the gifts, and volunteers are needed to wait tables and clean up. It would also be helpful to have elves who could hand out gifts, according to Claire Crone, manager of Sophia’s Kitchen and parish secretary at Sacred Heart and St. Joseph.

— Saturday, Dec. 14: Strong volunteers are needed to arrange food and pack the 500 Christmas baskets that will be given to those in need.

— Thursday, Dec. 19, and Friday, Dec. 20: The Christmas food baskets will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon. Elves willing to carry heavy boxes to cars for Mrs. Claus are welcome.

— Saturday, Dec. 21: Christmas food baskets will be delivered to the homebound. Volunteers who can lift 15 to 20 pounds and have a car big enough to hold several large boxes are needed.

Names will be accepted for the Christmas food baskets starting Nov. 25-26. Call (309) 655-1578 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. That phone number is also good for people who would like to volunteer to help with any of the events listed above.

Crone said donations are gratefully accepted and may be mailed to Sophia’s Kitchen, c/o Sacred Heart Sandwich Program, 504 Fulton St., Peoria, IL 61602.