Community Members Invited Inside To Free Meal

Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola, has been holding a community meal on the third Friday of each month beginning at 5:55 p.m. for more than 20 years. With the onset of COVID-19, church members switched to a takeout format but did not miss distributing meals.

Now, the church is once again offering indoor dining, with the next meal to be served on Friday, Dec. 16.

"The doors open at 5:30 p.m.," said organizer Patty Williams, who noted that attendees gather in the church vestibule before moving to the dining room to get coffee or tea and be seated. "At 5:55 p.m. there's a prayer," explained Williams, who added that the menu is then announced and people get in line to receive their food cafeteria style. Meals include a main dish, such as macaroni and cheese, meatballs, chicken strips, potpie, beef barbecue, or Amish wedding casserole, which mixes meats and sides associated with Thanksgiving. Side dishes are usually green beans, applesauce or fruit, and a dessert is included. In addition, the group sometimes receives bread from Panera, which is handed out with bottles of water. Zion Lutheran partners with Salem Evangelical Reformed Church, Hellers, and volunteers from that church cook and distribute the meal every other month. Currently, about 150 meals are served monthly.

"We deliver 80 meals (a month)," explained Williams. Rod Smith takes flyers to Nathan Village, a nearby apartment complex, to put in doors prior to each meal, and Tara and Don Fausnaught deliver 65 meals to Nathan Village Apartments and another 20 to Zook's Motel. Pat Kohler creates a prayer card to go with the meals. In addition to the monthly meal, volunteers prepare and deliver 90 meals to Grace Lutheran Church in Lancaster four times per year, during months that have five Wednesdays.

In 2020, the church served 1,765 meals, and in 2021, 1,600 meals had been served by November. During 2022, 1,800 meals have been served.

Pastor Karen Larson noted that the meal before Christmas is special. "We do carols and gifts," she said. Williams added that a bag with treats and a card and Christmas cookies is generally part of that meal. Activities and treats are usually added for the meal just prior to Easter as well.

Organizer Karen Brunken pointed out that the church is handicapped-accessible and that there is plenty of parking. She noted that in recent months a few attendees have begun to sit for a bit to socialize after they finish eating. Williams noted that before COVID-19, some visitors would remain until 7:30 p.m.

There is no need to register to pick up a meal. Readers who would like to know more about the church may visit http://www.zionleola.org. Those who have specific questions may call 717-656-9200. In the case of inclement weather, readers may check the website or search for "Zion Lutheran Church Leola, Lancaster County PA" on Facebook.