St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church is full on Thursday afternoons, but they aren’t holding a traditional church service. They open their Parish Hall to anyone who would like to come in for a free, hot lunch. They encourage all people from the community to come, not just those who can’t afford a meal. The food is set up buffet style, usually with two main course choices (meat or vegetarian), sides, and dessert. Community members fill their plates, then take a seat at one of the long tables that fill the hall. Some people have been coming since the program started in 2008, while others are visiting for the first time. Many of the attendees say they keep coming not only because of the food, but also because they like meeting new people in their community.

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What’s on the Menu?

When we visited, the meal featured roast chicken with orange cranberry sauce, ratatouille pasta for vegetarians, corn and potato cheese gratin, slaw, and African peanut soup. Everything was prepared by volunteers that morning, and the menu was chosen based on the food that was donated that week. Diners were offered water, tea, or lemonade to drink, and got to choose from a wide variety of desserts prepared by community members. A local bakery donated enough bread for every person to take a loaf home. Donations for the kitchen came from local farms, restaurants, grocery stores, and community gardeners/farmers who “grow a row” for the lunch.