Every month, the members of Word Christian Center open their doors to those needing a warm meal. And, a little bit of conversation.
“For a lot of people, it’s just about being with others. At meal time, a lot of folks just eat alone,” said Eileen Kipper, who was helping at Thursday night’s dinner.
“Also, it gives them a chance to eat a square meal,” she said.
Word Christian Center offers the monthly, area-wide dinner to provide people with a good, warm meal at their church. Pastor Eugene Kipper said he wants it to be known as an “area-wide” meal so anyone feels welcomed.
“It’s for whoever walks through the door,” he said.
Kipper said, for example, someone from out of state stopped in for their Easter meal simply because he saw the sign out front.
Kipper, who has been pastor of the church for 28 years, said they used to serve lunches Monday through Friday when they were located on Protection Avenue in Herkimer. When they moved to their 27 E. Main St. location in Mohawk, Kipper said they found a different need for the community and started with the monthly dinners.
He said they serve about 50 people at the monthly meal, noting they see people who have become regulars for the dinner.
Nearly a dozen volunteers help prepare and serve the food and to greet visitors. Kipper said the food is either donated to the church or the church purchases it. If there are any leftovers at the end of the dinner, he said they offer it to those who are still there.
“We found there’s a really big need in the community for the dinner,” said Nancy Sparrin, a member and volunteer with the church. She said some volunteers will offer to help out with the dinnersSparrin was on hand Thursday serving out food to those coming to the table.
Sparrin also echoed the same sentiments of Eileen Kipper.
“People don’t just come for the meals, but also the fellowship and to socialize,” she said.
Thursday’s meal included hot dogs, corn on the cob and pasta salad. Eileen Kipper, the pastor’s wife, said next month’s meal will be meatloaf.
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Every month, the members of Word Christian Center open their doors to those needing a warm meal. And, a little bit of conversation.
“For a lot of people, it’s just about being with others. At meal time, a lot of folks just eat alone,” said Eileen Kipper, who was helping at Thursday night’s dinner.
“Also, it gives them a chance to eat a square meal,” she said.
Word Christian Center offers the monthly, area-wide dinner to provide people with a good, warm meal at their church. Pastor Eugene Kipper said he wants it to be known as an “area-wide” meal so anyone feels welcomed.
“It’s for whoever walks through the door,” he said.
Kipper said, for example, someone from out of state stopped in for their Easter meal simply because he saw the sign out front.
Kipper, who has been pastor of the church for 28 years, said they used to serve lunches Monday through Friday when they were located on Protection Avenue in Herkimer. When they moved to their 27 E. Main St. location in Mohawk, Kipper said they found a different need for the community and started with the monthly dinners.
He said they serve about 50 people at the monthly meal, noting they see people who have become regulars for the dinner.
Nearly a dozen volunteers help prepare and serve the food and to greet visitors. Kipper said the food is either donated to the church or the church purchases it. If there are any leftovers at the end of the dinner, he said they offer it to those who are still there.
“We found there’s a really big need in the community for the dinner,” said Nancy Sparrin, a member and volunteer with the church. She said some volunteers will offer to help out with the dinnersSparrin was on hand Thursday serving out food to those coming to the table.
Sparrin also echoed the same sentiments of Eileen Kipper.
“People don’t just come for the meals, but also the fellowship and to socialize,” she said.
Thursday’s meal included hot dogs, corn on the cob and pasta salad. Eileen Kipper, the pastor’s wife, said next month’s meal will be meatloaf.
