The delightful smell of fresh waffles being made wafted out of the kitchen at Leacock Presbyterian Church, 3181 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, on the afternoon of March 21. Volunteers led by mission committee co-chairs Lois Eshleman and Bonnie Rice were hard at work creating the waffles for the chicken and waffle community meal that was held later that afternoon.

The church provides free, hot meals for the community in the church fellowship hall on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Recent offerings have included hot dogs and sauerkraut, and upcoming selections will feature lasagna and ham and green beans. "We always have traditional picnic fare in June," reported Rice, who noted that hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. According to Eshleman, two meals that always offer the same menu are the November Thanksgiving feast and the Christmas meal. Both those meals are also offered on the second Thursday of the month rather than the fourth.

Volunteer meal preparers begin working at 1:30 p.m. on the day the meal will be served. Usually only four or five workers are needed, but waffles require more helpers, and eight had gathered to prepare the March meal. At 5 p.m., more than 20 volunteers generally arrive to help serve. Food donations for the meal often come from the Weis grocery store in Gap, The Factory Market, and church members.

Eshleman recalled preparing the first meal about 20 years ago with Marie Brackbill. "We were scared to death no one would show up, but we had 25 (attendees)," recalled Eshleman. Rice, who has experience working in a school cafeteria, joined forces with Eshleman in 2011. At one time, about 100 area residents attended monthly, then COVID-19 restrictions hit in 2020, and the church stopped serving meals. They resumed the practice in June of 2023, and now prepare for 100 and serve from 50 to 85. "We hope to work our way back (to more attendees)," shared Rice.

Eshleman said that around Thanksgiving of 2023, numbers had increased. "Over the winter it dropped off again," she noted, adding that she hopes to see more attendees as the weather improves.

"You should come at Christmas when Bonnie makes centerpieces that are given away," said Eshleman. "She makes different ones every year, and they are really nice. We have red and green tablecloths," she added, noting the decor is especially festive for that meal.

The meal is free and open to the public. It is not necessary to register ahead of time, but readers who would like more information may visit http://www.leacockpres.org or call 717-687-6619.