Methodist congregations are providing free meals to the community once a week

Volunteers have been gathering at First United Methodist Church once a week to serve free meals to their fellow community members. Individuals do not have to join the church or be members to enjoy their hot meals. All they have to do is show up, find a seat and eat with very pleasant company.

Bob Lane, a member of First United Methodist Church, said all types of free meals have been organized by the congregation for many years. Volunteers even offered food with drive-up service to people during the COVID-19 pandemic. These days the free meals are taking place in the basement of the church.

“They put out a call: ‘Are people will to do this again?’ We had 12 people show up for a meeting and said they were willing to help,” Lane said. “People show up and volunteer their time, prepare it, serve it and clean up afterward and so forth. We hope it will grow if we can get the word out. There’s no charge!”

Every Wednesday features a new hot and fresh meal made in the church kitchen. St. Luke United Methodist Church is also pitching in; the fellow Methodists prepare and serve the Wednesday night meal on the third Wednesday of the month, but it is still held at the First United Methodist Church.

For the past few weeks, the church has averaged around 40-50 people per meal. Families with kids are encouraged to participate, and if they do there are Bible lessons or activities for the kids after the meal. Lane said donations are accepted, but regardless of whether they do people can always just come out and eat.

The free meals is more than just a gesture of good faith. Lane said it is filling a need in the community. He pointed to the work of other faith-based organizations like Discover Hope 517 Ministry for providing regular meals and socialization opportunities to the community. These actions can mean a lot to people.

Believers in Grace United Pentecostal Church also provides a free community meal on the second Wednesday of every month from 5 to 6 p.m. at its church at 817 E. Seventh St. N. in Newton. Lane said it feels good to know his church and others are making an effort to assistance their community.

“It makes us feel like we’re reaching out; we’re not just sticking to our own little church,” Lane said. “We’re reaching out to people that don’t normally come here but are welcome to come and have a meal. Maybe someday they’ll think about coming to our services or something, but that’s not our goal.

“We want to do what we can to help the community.”

The free meals are available 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the basement of the First United Methodist Church, 210 N. Second Ave. E., in Newton.