The Orrville hot meal program began in 1993. Mitzi Geiser had started a food pantry, which evolved into serving a meal at New Hope Community Church. Various Oak Grove groups have helped over the years. Two years ago the program moved to the United Church of Christ, across from Smith Dairy and diagonal from the library. Friendship Meals is a 501c3 nonprofit which benefits from donations to the United Way. It is not affiliated with any specific church, but uses church property and many churches help. A board runs the program. Some food is donated.
All of the work is done by volunteers, “people who have a passion for finding ways to provide meals for other people not doing so well,” said Ruth Linder, who oversees the program. Currently about 85 people are served a hot meal on Thursday evenings. Pathfinders Sunday School class serves and cleans up eight Thursdays a year. Since the Salvation Army has seen an increase in need, Monday soup/sandwich/salad meals are being added in January.
Outreach Commission has agreed that Oak Grove will run the program on the third Monday of the month. The goal is for Oak Grove to do all preparation, cooking, serving, clean up and closing.
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