By Scott D. Johnston
Look up definitions of the word “grace,” and you’ll find several that involve the idea of freely given kindness. To see firsthand one of the many real world examples and enjoy a free lunch in the bargain, you can visit the “Grace Cafe,” a free community meal offered each Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Galilean Lutheran Church, 824 Ocean Shores Blvd NW in Ocean Shores.
Starting Friday morning, a crew that eventually reaches 8-10 volunteers from multiple churches and groups, rearranges the Galilean Fellowship Hall, transforming it into the Grace Cafe. They prep, cook, serve and clean up. Ocean Shores McDonalds and Jay’s Produce in Aberdeen are among those donating food and supplies.
The church started the weekly community meal in August with a simple goal, according to project co-chair Leslie Reedy: “To take care of folks in our community who are in need.” Co-chair Nina Chalupnik said the effort grew out of the desire of Galilean Pastor Collette Gould “to address the needs of the homeless, the hungry, the lonely, people that are down on their luck, the disadvantaged. She has a real heart for that.”
Father Steve Roman of St. Jerome Catholic Church said Gould “has done a lot of groundwork” getting information about homelessness in the area, and “realized somebody should do something.” He said the effort has been “encouraged and assured of help from different quarters.”
Over the first three Fridays, turnout has grown from 16 to 39. “What we have seen since we opened is not so much the homeless or people who are disadvantaged, but we’ve had a lot of seniors come in who just want social time,” Reedy said. “So this has kind of morphed into a community meal.”
They think awareness will slowly build and eventually bring more of those in need through the doors.
Reedy said serving people at their tables, as opposed to buffet-style, is an effort for people who are often overlooked to receive some rare personal service and attention. “We really want people to feel that there’s a safe and warm place to come and have a meal and feel special,” Chalupnik added.
Pastor Gould said that the homeless, the hungry and people in need, “aren’t always welcome everywhere in our community… and we understand, that’s an issue. But here, all are welcome.”
She hopes more will start coming as word gets around. Initially, Gould “hoped to do this every day; we’re just not there yet,” Reedy explained.
“There’s something significant about breaking bread together,” Gould observed. “There are so many people who don’t know that they’re loved, don’t know that they’re cared for. … We want them to know that God loves them and we’re called to love them too.”
Scott D. Johnston photo Volunteer server Joyce Perry brings a personal touch to the free community meal served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday at Galilean Lutheran Church in Ocean Shores.
Scott D. Johnston photo Grace Cafe co-chair Leslie Reedy and volunteer Joanne McKinney help prepare a free community meal that is offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday at Galilean Lutheran Church in Ocean Shores.
