Our new Dana Coordinator, Cāgasiri, has shared an update on all the ways the community can participate in this beautiful act of generosity.
Meal Dana Coordinator Update
Recently, there was a meal offering organized to bring folks out to the Hermitage who had never offered a meal to the monastics before. There was a palpable joy felt in the room when a new supporter lifted a dish and offered it into the hands of one of the monks for the first time. Watching this scene unfold was a beautiful reminder of how this simple act of offering food nourishes both the receiver and the giver. It is an exchange that lives on in the heart, and can be recollected again and again to brighten the mind.
There are a number of ways that anyone who wishes to can participate in this beautiful act of generosity. We wanted to share an update on some of the possible ways to join in.
Join the Weekly Alms Round
Each Monday through Friday, the monks walk into the White Salmon on their alms route. Supporters in White Salmon can choose a day to have the monks stop at their home each week to offer them a meal. It is a wonderful chance to be generous and to connect with the Hermitage monks.
Currently, there is a gap specifically on Mondays, since a supporter who had been offering alms on Mondays has moved away. Anyone interested in being a part of the weekly alms route in White Salmon and filling this open spot on Mondays, we would love to hear from you! Please email the Hermitage directly at hermitage@abhayagiri.org or call (509) 416-6654. We are happy to answer any questions you might have about the details of how this works.
Offer a Meal at the Hermitage on the Weekend
On the weekends, the monks warmly receive visitors at the Hermitage between 10:00 – 1:00, with the meal offered at 11 AM (since the monks may not eat past mid-day). If you would like to sign up to offer a meal on a Saturday or Sunday, you can email the Dana Coordinator at dana@pacifichermitage.org to sign up. Emailing the dana coordinator lets the Sangha know that the monks will have alms offered that day, and the names of those who have signed up appear on the Meal Dana Calendar on the website.
If there is a name on the Meals Calendar for a particular weekend day, please know that additional supporters are always welcome to sign up for the same date, or to spontaneously join in if they are inspired to do so.
Note that when you sign up to offer a weekend meal offering, you can either bring food to offer in person, or order a restaurant meal if you aren’t able to be there. You sign up for the day in the same way by emailing the dana coordinator, and mentioning that you will be placing a restaurant order. Please note whether the food will be delivered or if the monks will need to pick it up. More details and a few restaurant options are listed at the end of this post.
This way of offering alms can be a great alternative if your schedule, health, or the weather make offering in-person difficult. It may be especially useful as we transition into the winter, when snowy or icy roads can make travel difficult.
Join the Emergency Rescue Squad Group
Another beautiful part of the Hermitage’s web of support is the Emergency Dana Rescue Squad — a group of friends who can be contacted when a weekend meal offering date is open, or when there’s a last-minute cancellation. When this happens, the dana coordinator sends a group email to all those who have signed up for this list, and anyone who wishes may reply to sign up to offer that day (in person or by restaurant offering).
If you feel inspired to join this circle of helpers, please email dana@pacifichermitage.org to be added to the email list.
We are deeply grateful for all who continue to support the Hermitage with your generosity of food, time, and care. These offerings help sustain both the monastics and the wider community, and bring much joy to all.
Local Restaurants for Meal Offerings
Here are three local restaurants that make Restaurant Offerings possible:
White Salmon Baking Co (509) 281-3140
- Best to order one day in advance; monks pick up the next day at 8 AM
- Open every day 8am–3pm (closed Tuesdays)
Nativ Café (509) 426-5341
- Best to order one day in advance; monks pick up the next day at 8 AM
- Open every day 7am–3pm
Beneventi’s (509) 493-2177
- Best to order one day in advance
- Delivery to the Hermitage is available on Saturdays at 10 AM
- Open Monday–Saturday 10:30 AM–8 PM (closed Sundays)