UMC celebrates 26 years of feeding the community

SANDPOINT — Community members gather at United Methodist Church each Thursday to enjoy a free dinner, whether it is because they need a good meal or simply want some company while they eat.

This week's meal was special, however, as the group celebrated 26 years of sharing through the Community Meal program.

While many people may need to supplement their income by enjoying a good meal at the church, Alice Vroman, Community Meal coordinator, said very few of the people who come in are "extraordinarily hungry."

"We have a group of people who come week after week and this is a social event for them," Vroman said during Thursday's celebration.

It also serves as a hot meal for people who work all day, she said. They come with their families to eat, socialize and relax.

Paul Graves, former pastor of the church, said the Community Meal predominantly serves people who are trying to stretch their food budgets.

"We are just pleased we can be a part of that network," Graves said.

When Community Meal first started, Graves said, they typically had 40 to 60 people come in. Now, Vroman said, they have at least 60 each week, and are prepared for up to 90 community members to stop by between 4-6 p.m.

Robin Moore of Ponderay, who has been attending meals for a couple of years, said it is a great place to go for those who get home and don't want to cook, especially if you live alone. It is also nice, she said, for someone suffering from depression or other issues to interact with people who can relate to them.

"It is a blessing from God," Moore said of the meals.

Graves, who was the pastor from 1988-1995, was one of the founders of the Community Meal. It was late fall of 1991 when Susan Harbuck and Heidi Rickert approached him, according to a written history Graves provided to the Daily Bee. The duo asked him if the church might be able to help out community members who were consistently hungry, suggesting a soup kitchen. There were a couple of soup kitchens in operation already, including Saint Joseph Catholic Church and First Lutheran Church — Saint Joseph's soup kitchen is still in operation today.

After speaking with the congregation and church officials, Graves and the others decided to start a Community Meal.

"We thought the name dignified who our dinner guests would be," Graves wrote.

Thus, the first Community Meal was held Feb. 13, 1992.

Soup, bread and dessert were served each week. The senior center donated three crockpots and chicken soup, beef barley soup and chicken wings were the early staples of the meal. Cloth napkins were used as a "symbol of a more comfortable dining experience," Graves wrote. Eventually the napkins wore out and were replaced with a quality paper napkin. Also in the early years, a television and VCR were kept in the Fellowship Hall to entertain the children with Disney movies.

The Community Meal has evolved into a broader menu, and while the community members used to stand in line to get their own food, it is now served to them at the table. Not only is it nicer for the patrons, there is less food waste, Vroman said.

Over the years, congregation members, community members and community groups have helped prepare meals in the kitchen. In recent years, Graves said, students from Lake Pend Oreille High School have come by on an annual basis to help prepare and serve food.

"We have members of the congregation who are very generous in giving their support and giving ingredients, and we have this incredible posse of ladies who come in and cook every week," Vroman said.

Starbucks in Ponderay supplies the church with day-old desserts, and they receive support from the local food bank as well.

It is rare that a meal is not available at the church on Thursdays, except on Thanksgiving. Graves said they used to offer a meal on Thanksgiving, but found that participation was low due to other community dinners available that day.

"We decided not to duplicate it and it gave our folks a day off," Graves said.

Graves said he felt compelled on Sunday morning, during the time set aside for "casual sharing," to not only remind people attending the worship service about Thursday's "birthday party," but also to let them know how much he has appreciated their 26 years of commitment.

"There have been some times when we have not been as committed to it as we are — everything ebbs and flows," Graves said. "But in spite of those down times, when we wonder if we can do it ... people have stuck with it because they feel this is an important outreach for us."

United Methodist is not the only free meal on the schedule in each week. In fact, there is one nearly every day of the week in the Sandpoint area.

Sunday (third and fourth Sunday of each month only):

- Mr. Sub at the VFW Post, 1325 Pine St. Lunch served from noon to 4 p.m. For information, call 208-263-9613.

Monday:

- Assembly of God Church, 423 N. Lincoln Ave. Dinner served from 4-6 p.m. For information, call 208-263-2676.

- Hoot Owl Cafe, 30784 Highway 200, Ponderay. Dinner served from 4-7 p.m. For information, call 208-265-9348.

Tuesday:

- Seventh Day Adventists Agape Cafe, 2235 Pine St. Lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For information, call 208-263-0221.

Wednesday:

- Gardenia Center, 400 Church St. Lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, call 208-265-4450.

Thursday:

- United Methodist Church, 711 Main St. Dinner served from 4-6 p.m. For information, call 208-263-4232.

Friday:

- Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 601 S. Lincoln Ave. Dinner served from 4-6 p.m. For information, call 208-263-3720.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.