Starting this week, volunteers and members of St. Andrewes African Methodist Episcopal Church will be cooking and serving up a free hot lunch for anyone in the community, each and every Wednesday.
"Anyone that wants to come and have a good meal can come, we're not particular about if you're homeless or what, just come and have a good meal," said Rosalind Willis, one of the cooks at the church.
St. Andrewes is bringing back a tradition of serving meals and offering give-a-ways. It dates back to the church's old locations on Oak Hill and Rayen Avenue.
"We had a great turnout up at Rayen Avenue, so we hope to have the same here, and I know once the word gets out, they will be here, because we do have good food," said Jimmy Willis, a trustee at St. Andrewes.
In addition to the free meal, St. Andrewes is also holding a coat and clothing give-a-way, and they'll give people their own bags of food to take home the third Wednesday of every month.
The church buys the food from Second Harvest Food Bank, but the work and other items are donated by many volunteers from the congregation.
"Well, there are people that we feel might need to have these things, and we have them and we're willing to share, that's what we're about," said Mary Lois Gross, church member.
And with the holidays coming, and the weather getting colder organizers hope the spirit of giving will spill over from Wednesday, to Sunday, to every day of the year.
"We need more places like this, not saying that everybody has to, but we need more to help the people who are hungry," said Edward Griffin of Youngstown, who came to have lunch with his mother.
"And you can have some good fellowship, come in, sit down, talk to people, friendly atmosphere, good atmosphere, we're in a sanctuary, have a good time and eat," added the Rev. Steven A. Jackson, St. Andrewes pastor.
