Hope Served Daily

exciting news about our food truck!
Click here for a message from our Board Vice chair, carla Milhomme

A Beautiful Letter From One of Our Guests

I would first like to start by thanking God our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Lord and Savior for the opportunity to share my story. As many of you know, I am no stranger to sin. As a matter of fact there have been times in my life that I didn’t care if I was pleasing God or not because I believed that God hated me. I was eight years old the first time that I prayed for God to just let me die but the relief did not come. Fast-forward through the abuse, both physical and sexual, through the feeling of being shunned by my community and made to feel like an outcast who’s safety and value were constantly trampled and seemingly forgotten. I don’t think people realize just how much damage can be caused when a person reaches the stage of feeling sub-human. I believe the loss of humanity is the devil’s greatest weapon. When a person loses their humanity it is far easier for them to make choice’s that are foolish, selfish, uncaring and downright despicable because their self worth governs their actions. That is the way I felt the first time I walked into the Upper Room dining hall. I didn’t come there to be saved or have fellowship, I WAS HUNGRY. I was greeted with smiles and open arms. I was sat down and served after a prayer of thanks was said. The meal that was served was the best thing I had eaten in a very long time and I could eat until I was full. What’s really amazing is that I was thanked by the volunteers that had just served me. Can you imagine how much that just absolutely floored me. Here are these people that had taken time out of their day, their lives and even time spent with their families and they were thanking me. That moment was the start of something powerful and amazing. Here are these strangers, telling me that I have worth and that I am loved. Not with words but by their actions. This one moment of kindness sent by God through his faithful servents at the Upper Room was my turning point because it put that “well maybe, just maybe” I am loved and valued. It was slow rolling and took some time before I actually started to really believe it. Karen St-Amant Stinson was and is instrumental in that process. This beautiful, patient, kind, loving soul with the strength of a lion would welcome me in with a hug and a smile that was real and genuine. No matter what I told her she never faltered. They say that God sends forth messengers of hope, strength and love and it is my wholehearted belief that not only Karen but also the other volunteers at the Upper Room are those such people. They helped me realize that I have worth and that I am loved. I was homeless for 6 years, I now have a place I call home. I was addicted to drugs for 25 years of my life but today I am sober. The day I first walked into the Upper Room I was so hungry I could think of nothing else. I am now the proud new owner of a restaurant and deli that will be opening on June 4th of this year in Auburn, Ca. Without the love and support of the selfless individuals at the Upper Room in Placerville, I would likely not be here to share my story. I thank God everyday for you and I personally thank each and every one of you for your service and love through our AMAZING GOD and Savior Jesus. Through your devotion of our Lord today I no longer feel sub-human, I know that I have worth and I know that I am loved. Thank you Lord God, thank you Upper Room and special thanks to Karen, you’re my rock. Jason

SEE OUR AMAZON.COM WISH LIST

Our Mission

Motivated By Love And Grace, Our Mission Is To Provide Meals And Services To Members Of Our Community Living Under The Strain Of Poverty; Treating All Guests With Dignity And Compassion

Our Dining Room Hours

Monday – Friday 11:00am to 5:30pm
Weekends 2:00pm to 5:30pm
Dinner is served daily from 4:00pm to 5:30p

More Than Just a Meal

Wound Care

Basic wound care, bandage changes, vitals, and health referrals by a Registered Nurse

Pet Care

Food, water, collars, leashes, and dog coats (when available). Resources available for spay, neutering, and vaccinations.

Legal Aid

Screening for basic legal assistance/aid and referrals

Free Laundry

Available Monday – Friday.
Sign up at the Upper Room.

Navigation Services

Assistance and referrals for help with county/state services, local transitional housing/sheltering programs, recovery programs.

Personal Care

Haircuts, personal hygiene products, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, showers (contact us for days & time).

In partnership with Housing El Dorado, the Upper Room provides seasonal shelter and navigation services for the unhoused of El Dorado County

Who we are

Motivated by love and grace, the staff and volunteers at the Upper Room Dining Hall believe that words of respect and actions of kindness and compassion matter.

A non-profit organization (501.c3), we’ve served families, veterans, the elderly, low income and the homeless, 365 days a year since 2002.

Our reward is the continued ability to play some small role in the lives of those at-risk into a pathway of hope and possibility.

With open hearts and extended hands, we’ve been blessed by the invaluable relationships forged and the unwavering support of a giving, generous community.