St. Luke’s Church located at 410 N. Main St. has created a free, monthly, open-to-all dine-in meal program. St. Luke’s Church’s insistence with buying, cooking and using locally grown or produced food items – to the greatest extent possible – ensures that funding used to purchase the needed wares continues to stay and circulate locally within our community.

“We’ve had two dinners so far,” said Fodor. “Our first meal, we served lasagna at, and it was attended by 90 participants, and during last month’s (April) meal we had between 70 to 80 people in attendance. … Most, if not all the food products used are grown, made or produced locally.”

For Fodor and Weith, the primary focus revolving around the meal program is building local communities and establishing a social norm in which all participants are treated with respect and dignity.

“We had a really good blend of people attending both events,” said Fodor. “It was a nice mix of people from various ethnic groups, social classes and religious affiliations. I think what is amazing is when generosity is modeled for people, they in turn tend to be more generous and gracious to others. When respect and dignity are given, it also tends to be given back and extended as well.”

A group of St. Luke’s guests enjoy a hot, locally-produced, fresh meal during an April meal at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s Undercroft, as part of the church’s food access program. Submitted photo

While there are no meals planned for May, the church is planning a meal in June.

“We’re resetting and taking a break from the community meals in May, but our next one is scheduled for June 24. However, June 8 starts our Farmers’ Market and June 12 begins our Mobile Market,” said Fodor.

Furthermore, while this dinner party had a festive atmosphere about it, several of the guests were not only grateful for the meal, but for the church’s commitment to providing a healthy, safe, clean and respectful program.

“Everyone is smiling and having a good time,” said a woman who only wished to be identified as Teresa, a resident of Jamestown, and identifies herself as low-income. “I hope they do more of these. We could really use more positive events like this in town. People just being people.”

Teresa then went on to explain how lonely times can be for her and how the community meal at St. Luke has affected her.

“It’s lonely at times for me,” she said. “I suffer from several health conditions and don’t have a lot of money. When the church has these meals it’s nice. I can sit down, eat some great food and just socialize. The church kind of serves ‘soul food’, in that it does my soul and mental health good to get out and interact with people from our community.

For more information contact (716) 483-6405 or visit stlukesjamestown.org. For specific information regarding the food access programs, the Mobile Market or the Farmers’ Market contact Weith at nick.weith@stlukesjamestown.org, or follow the Mobile Market through Facebook and Instagram @jamestownpublicmarket.