The Rotary Club of San Jose, which supports the clinic, asked its members to approach local restaurants about donating food for the volunteers once a quarter. That was two years ago. Today 11 restaurants regularly donate to the clinic and more than half of them are Willow Glen eateries.

Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza, Jakes of Willow Glen, Aqui Cal-Mex Grill, Round Table Pizza, Siena Bistro and Taqueria Tlaquepaque donate enough food to feed the clinic's 20 volunteers. Many of the meals are finger food style because volunteers only have a few minutes to eat, and the break room is small.

The assortment of food is a step up from what was consumed in previous years, when the nonprofit could only afford to buy bagels for its volunteers, who often worked from 5 to 11 p.m. after their regular workday ended, clinic administrator Tammy Janosik said.

Siena Bistro owner Martha Duke said her restaurant is glad to donate gourmet sandwiches and salads to the free clinic volunteers.

"I feel like if you have something to give, you should give it," Duke said. "They give up their time, the least we can do is feed them."

RotaCare has been providing free medical services since 1989. The group is staffed mainly by volunteer doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and interpreters who are available on Wednesdays at Washington School, 100 Oak St.

Jakes of Willow Glen general manager Jack Stemplinger said donating to RotaCare reflects the philosophy of Jakes' owner, Bernie Tougas, who died during the past year, which is to give back to the community.

"I think it's a good way to do business," Stemplinger said.

For the volunteers, the food provides a welcome break. Currently there are not enough volunteers to meet the need, with people lining up as early as noon to secure medical service when the clinic opens at 5:30 p.m.

Janosik said many of the people who frequent the clinic lack medical insurance but cannot qualify for government-sponsored medical care. Each week, the clinic has to turn people away.

The volunteers are able to serve nearly 40 people each night and they stay until the last patient is treated. Despite the hours, volunteers said their work provides its own benefits and that having a free dinner is a plus.

"It's a wonderful service," volunteer interpreter and Rotarian Dick King said. "We take 10 to 15 minutes to eat something so we can keep going the rest of the night."

Corinne Arraez, who volunteers as an interpreter, also looks forward to the weekly meals.

"It's a wonderful thing because you feel welcome to the job and that the community is recognizing the extra hours you're putting in," Arraez said.

In addition to a free dinner, Arraez said the restaurants don't stint on quality.

Janosik said the meals have been such a hit with volunteers she is used to receiving a barrage of emails from curious volunteers, asking what's for dinner.

The donation program has created lots of good will between the volunteers and restaurants, Janosik said. Whenever the clinic plans get-togethers, they choose restaurants that have donated to the program. Volunteers also are more likely to frequent these restaurants, she said.

"We all look forward to it," Arraez said. "I think it just adds so much to the experience."

For more information on donating dinner quarterly to RotaCare Free Clinic, call 408.715.3088.