CEDAR FALLS (AP) — A weekly free meal at a Cedar Falls church has come to an end after 31 years because no one has volunteered to replace its coordinator.
The First United Methodist Church served its last Community Meal Tuesday. Coordinator Becky Hardman had announced her retirement in June. Hardman, a retired nurse, has volunteered with the program for 17 years.
“It’s a little sad,” Hardman said. “I’ve been doing it so long. I’ve really liked the people. They’ve gotten used to me. Even if they don’t know my name, they know me.”
First United Methodist has hosted the weekly meal for the last 17 years. The program originated 31 years ago and was first hosted by St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Hardman says that about 200 people are fed each Tuesday, and that area churches provide volunteers and food for the meals on a rotating basis. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank provides baked goods for attendees to take home with them.
Dean Smith, who has attended the meals with his wife for decades, says the program’s end is a blow to the community.
“We came for fellowship and food. There are a lot of people who don’t have much family or much money,” Smith said.
Representatives from area churches plan to meet in January to discuss if the program can be restarted.
First United Methodist’s Pastor Steve Williams said that seeing the weekly meal come to an end is disappointing, “but we will making every effort to bring it back in a re-invented form.”