For seven years, Isabelle Pradier has worked quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes leading a dedicated team of volunteers preparing tasty and nutritious meals for the homeless community in The Hague. She was a perfect fit for the job- the warm and genuine smile with which she greets everyone and the seemingly boundless energy that she puts into everything that she does is truly inspiring.
Thank you Isabelle for your cheerful and tireless service and for putting together such a formidable team to carry the good work forward.
You can read more about Meals for the Homeless, including how to support the program here on our website.
Isabelle’s own words describe her experience the best. You can read her lovely email below.
Signing off as Co-coordinator,
Forever Part of the FamilyDear Volunteers, Friends and Partners,
After seven unforgettable years, I would like to let you know that I will be stepping down as co-Coordinator of Meals for the Homeless, effective September 1st, 2026.
What an extraordinary journey it has been!
Working alongside such an incredible team of volunteers has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Whether you have been serving meals, cooking, cleaning, supporting us through the parish, every one of you has played an essential part in making this ministry what it is today.
Being the coordinator has meant much more than organising rotas and making sure everything was in place. It has required flexibility, quick thinking, and the ability to deal with the unexpected. Every meal brought new challenges, and no two evenings were ever quite the same.
Some Unforgettable Mishaps!
There was the famous 30-litres soup pot that somehow melted onto the kitchen floor. It took me nearly three hours to free it, and I can assure you that by the end, both the pot and I were equally exhausted!
Or take the Christmas gift boxes labelled “M” for “Men” and “W” for “Women.” Turn the box upside down, and the “M” becomes a “W,” while the “W” becomes an “M.” It was a nightmare when the men discovered sanitary towels in their gift boxes and the women found shaving cream in theirs! For a moment, we thought we were facing a full-scale riot!
After 7 years, I am quite proud to see how my English improve sensibly. Thank you to all of you who speak now English with a delightful French accent. It makes your English much more charming and understandable!
Anne McMahon will continue coordinating Meals for the Homeless, with the support of a wonderful, close-knit team.
To all of you, thank you for your trust, your encouragement, your laughter, your flexibility when things didn’t quite go according to plan, and above all, for the compassion you have shown to every guest who came through our doors.
Meals for the Homeless has never simply been about serving food. It has always been about offering dignity, kindness, friendship and hope. I am deeply grateful to have shared this extraordinary journey with all of you.
Although I am stepping away from this role, I will carry the memories, and all of you, with me always. Thank you for everything and please, continue to support this remarkable project.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Isabelle