By Felicia A. Petro
Allied News Staff Writer
Put on your dinner clothes, and expect some good cookin’.
East Main Presbyterian Church, Grove City, will be serving its fourth $1 donation meal at 5 p.m. June 10.
The meals have been going on every other Wednesday since April 29.
The first dinners drew 18, then 67, then 76 guests, said Allen Lambert, volunteer.
Organizers planned only four dinners to see how well they would do in the community, he said. “We’ve been doing so well, we’re going to continue indefinitely.”
The “Do You Need a Meal?” initiative was begun by Dick and Ruth Leo.
“They realized there was a big need in this community to help people in these difficult times,” Lambert said.
“We felt at the very least, that we could provide a meal.”
After discussing it with committee members, the meals began two weeks later.
And donations have supplied enough money to keep the endeavor “in the black,” Lambert said.
The $1 donation – which isn’t mandatory – was put in place “for strategic reasons,” he noted.
“We don’t want people to feel like we’re taking from them or leave them feeling like they didn’t contribute something.”
And don’t expect plastic plates, cups and utensils if you haven’t already attended one of the dinners.
The hot food is placed on porcelain dinnerware, and eaten with silverware after it is brought by a server to your table.
“It’s like going to a good restaurant,” Lambert said. “Why not treat people to a complete meal, wait on them, make them feel welcome; have the right kind of cutlery and plates and so forth.”
For those interested, the church has a table set up at the dinners with information about Christianity and social services in the community.
However, volunteers will not bring up religion. The meal is not based on religious affiliation, Lambert said.
East Main Pastor Bill Hoffman simply writes “Bill” on his name tag at the meals, Lambert added.
“You wouldn’t know he was the pastor standing there.”
Volunteers talk to the guests, but they don’t “probe them about what circumstances brought them here,” he said.
Some do want to talk about it, however.
“One family was absolutely destitute. They arrived recently in Grove City with nothing,” he said.
About 20 volunteers are needed the dinners together, including those who buy supplies and food; set tables; greet and serve guests; and clean up.
“The amazing thing is they’re so enthusiastic. You don’t have to badger anybody. They just want to do it,” Lambert said.
“It’s a worthwhile cause and a Christian responsibility.”
As for the meals, so far they have included chicken and pork loin, with vegetables, dessert and drinks.
“‘Excellent’ is one word we’ve heard over and over,” Lambert said. “It’s just like a home-cooked meal.”
East Main Presbyterian Church is located at 120 E. Main St. Dinners are held in Fellowship Hall, which can be accessed through the glass doors at the side of the church facing Walnut Street.
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