I think I'll chime in on this one;
Metropolitan is a little different, in that we meet weekly. If there is work or not, at least we have fellowship over a meal. I believe the Stewards office to be the place where an enthusiastic Mason can have a silent but significant impact on his lodge. My junior and I labor happily to deliver a quality hot home cooked meal, made from fresh ingredients, that far exceeds anything you could get anywhere else for $5. Many of our brothers are on a fixed income and five bucks may be a lot to them. No problem! No brother would ever look twice at someone not contributing to the kitty, but rather would throw in a ten spot, silently implying, "worry not my brother, I got ya covered." This is the fundamental reason why Masonry exists.
I know that if I continue to provide good meals, the brothers will look forward to lodge night fellowship, and some that havn't been in a while may show up just for the food. If I manage to keep costs low, while providing enough to feed everyone, at the end of the year there will be a surplus that can be given to a worthy cause in the name of our lodge.
There have been nights where too much was prepared and turnout was low thus not making a profit, but these nights are few and far between. The Kitty should make money in the long run, this is what is meant by "Good Stewardship".