Every Friday — Hope on the Block

The Friday Meal.
Made with neighbors,
for neighbors.

Every week, volunteers cook and serve around 80 free, hot meals to our Fond du Lac community. You can be part of it.

When Fridays at 5:00 PM
Where Cathedral of St. Paul — 51 W. Division St.
Meals served ~80 per week
Sign Up to Volunteer Sponsor a Week ($250)

The Process

How it works — in three steps.

1

Sign Up for a Friday

Fill out our short sign-up form — takes under 2 minutes. You'll choose your date and tell us a bit about your group. We'll confirm your spot and send you everything you need to know.

2

Prepare the Meal

Your group shops for ingredients and arrives at the Cathedral of St. Paul kitchen at 3:00 PM on your Friday to cook. We'll be there to help and have the kitchen ready for you.

3

Serve the Community

At 5:00 PM, you serve the meal to our neighbors. We provide the containers, utensils, condiments, and an extra set of hands. You bring the food and the heart.

Get Involved

Choose your path.

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Most Common

Cook & Serve a Meal

Bring a group — or sign up solo and we'll connect you with others. Your group provides the ingredients, prepares the food, and serves our neighbors. Hope on the Block handles the rest.

  • Works for groups and individuals
  • Kitchen provided at no cost
  • 3–4 volunteers recommended
  • We provide containers, utensils & condiments
  • Typical ingredient cost: ~$250
Sign Up Now →
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What to Expect

Your Friday, hour by hour.

Before Friday

Plan Your Menu & Shop

Decide on a main dish and 1–2 sides. Shop for ~80 servings. See our meal ideas section below for inspiration and quantities.

3:00 PM — Friday

Arrive at the Kitchen

The kitchen at Cathedral of St. Paul (51 W. Division St.) is ready for you at 3:00 PM. A Hope on the Block volunteer will greet you. Bring your ingredients and any specialty equipment.

3:00 – 5:00 PM

Prepare the Meal

Two hours to cook, assemble, and pack. We'll have to-go containers, salad containers, condiments, and silverware ready. Additional Hope volunteers may assist.

5:00 PM

Serve

Meals are served outside in good weather, indoors in winter. Serving typically wraps up within an hour. You'll interact directly with community members — it's the best part.

After

Cleanup & Done

We handle the breakdown together. Most groups are done by 6:30–7:00 PM total.

We Provide

Full licensed kitchen · To-go containers · Salad containers · Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, dressing) · Compostable silverware · Serving tables · Extra volunteers

You Provide

Ingredients for ~80 servings · 3–4 volunteers · Any specialty equipment or serving dishes your recipe needs · Contact us ahead if you're unsure

Kitchen Location

Cathedral of St. Paul
51 W. Division St.
Fond du Lac, WI

Meal served outside (or inside in winter)

Questions?

Reach us at hopeontheblockfdl@gmail.com — we're happy to help with menu planning, sourcing, or anything else before your Friday.

Meal Planning

What should I make?

There's no required menu — you choose what to cook. Here are crowd-tested ideas that scale well, travel well, and stay within a reasonable budget. A typical meal is a main dish + 1–2 sides.

🍲 Soups & Stews

Chili, chicken noodle, beef vegetable, or potato soup. Easy to batch-cook, serve hot, and customize.

🍝 Pasta Dishes

Spaghetti with meat sauce, baked ziti, mac and cheese. Scales easily and is universally loved.

🌮 Taco / Bowl Bar

Ground beef or chicken tacos, rice bowls. Easy to serve in to-go containers with toppings on the side.

🍗 Roasted or Baked Proteins

Sheet-pan chicken, pulled pork, or meatballs. Pair with a grain side and a vegetable.

🥗 Sides that Travel Well

Coleslaw, pasta salad, dinner rolls, corn, green beans, roasted potatoes, or a simple garden salad.

🍰 Dessert (Optional)

Cookies, brownies, or sheet cake are always welcome — and easy to add to any container.

~$250

That's the typical all-in ingredient cost for a main dish + two sides for 80 people — about $3.10 per person. Smart shopping (warehouse stores, in-season produce, simple proteins) can bring it lower. Need help sourcing ingredients or finding a budget-friendly menu? Reach out — we're happy to help.

Questions

Frequently asked questions.

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Can I sign up as an individual, or does it have to be a group?
Both are welcome. Individuals can sign up and we'll connect you with other volunteers if needed. We recommend at least 3–4 people total in the kitchen — we'll help fill any gaps.
Who provides the ingredients?
Your group does the shopping. In our experience, a complete meal for 80 runs about $250. If cost is a barrier, reach out — we can sometimes help with sourcing or connect you with a sponsor.
Where do we cook — can we use our own kitchen?
All cooking and assembly must happen in a licensed kitchen. We provide the kitchen at Cathedral of St. Paul at no charge. If you'd like to use your own licensed facility (e.g., a restaurant or commercial kitchen), contact us first so we can coordinate.
What time should we arrive?
The kitchen is available starting at 3:00 PM on your Friday. Meals are served at 5:00 PM, so you'll have about two hours to prep and cook. Most groups wrap up by 6:30–7:00 PM.
How many volunteers should we bring?
We recommend 3–4. More than that can get crowded in the kitchen. Hope on the Block will have volunteers on hand at every step to support you.
What does Hope on the Block supply?
We provide a full licensed kitchen, serving tables, to-go containers, to-go salad containers, condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressing), and compostable silverware for each meal. If you think you'll need anything beyond that, contact us in advance.
Is the meal served outside?
In good weather, yes — we serve outside at the Cathedral of St. Paul. In the winter months we serve indoors. We'll let you know what to expect based on the season and forecast.
What if I can't afford the ingredients but still want to help?
You can still volunteer! Let us know in the sign-up form and we'll either connect you with a sponsor covering that week's costs or find another role where you can contribute.
Who else is involved in the Friday Meal?
The Friday Meal is a collaboration between Hope on the Block, Cathedral of St. Paul, Broken Bread, and dedicated community volunteers like you.
How do I know my date is confirmed?
After you submit the sign-up form, you'll receive a confirmation message with a link to hold your date on our Google Calendar. You'll also hear from us directly within a few days to finalize details.
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Ready to feed your neighbors?

Sign up in under 2 minutes. We'll take care of the rest.

Sign Up to Cook & Serve Sponsor a Week Instead