By Diana Vance
Monroe
MONROE - "People are being nourished in one way or another," said Marilee Backstrand, referring to the fourth Sunday of every month when there is a free community meal called the Loaves and Fishes held in Grace Lutheran Church from 4 to 6 p.m.
"We wanted the people who did not have the means for a full meal, drinks like iced tea, coffee, white and chocolate milk and dessert to have one," said Backstrand, wife of Father Brian Backstrand, priest at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Monroe. "And to use the meal as a place to build community through hospitality."
The idea to have such a meal began with the small but active congregation and Father Brian at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. There was no community meal in Monroe and they felt there was a need. Father Brian chairs the steering committee.
"But there was no way our little church could do this," Marilee said.
First, Father Brian applied to the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee for a Meachem grant to get it started. It was for projects that individual churches wanted to do.
"But we needed to reach out to other churches and had to have a group of people who wanted to be involved and become our steering committee."
In 2011, Father Brian sent out letters to other churches and made a couple of calls and "it kind of snowballed," Marilee said. "We had a steering committee of 13 people at our first meeting."
The next thing needed was a location for the meal.
"Grace Lutheran Church gave us great help. They had a kitchen certified to serve meals and offered their large dinning room and well-equipped kitchen to use for Loaves and Fishes meals," said Marilee.
Loaves and Fishes got state certification to serve meals there. They currently are seeking 501c3 status as well.
In April 2012, Loaves and Fishes had their first free community meal. Since then, a number of people and organizations have sponsored a meal. The cost is $300.
The next step was to find volunteers and Donna Phillips answered the call. She coordinates all the volunteers and makes certain there are 15 to 20 volunteers for each meal. She has more than 150 volunteers. She is also in charge of dessert.
Marilee coordinates the food for the main meal. The goal is to have a variety of local, seasonal, and healthy foods.
Everybody contributes what they are good at.
"Ellen Rogers brought puzzles and games, and also served the desserts at every meal," she said.
Sue Curran, an author of three mystery books, gets the donors to sponsor the meal.
"She is amazing at it. She has donors lined up well into 2014," Marilee said.
Colony Brands sponsors the April meal and provides meals and other foods behind the scenes. Thrivent Lutheran and Schrenk Roofing each sponsored a month. Some groups, such as St. Vincent de Paul, Monroe United Methodist, and Juda/Oakley and Zion Methodist churches, do the cooking and serving as well as provide the food.
St. Victor Catholic School provided a meal and made decorations on 100 placemats and 100 goodie bags to take home after the meal. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish Confirmation class served the meal.
The Kittelsen, Barry, Wellington, Thompson and Schluesche attorney firm sponsor one meal a year. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts help serve the meals. Other involved youngsters are the Harvest Ninjas, launched by Liam Kivirist. They harvest foods that are not wanted like apples, plums and peaches from the tree, and potatoes underground.
Local farms contribute a substantial amount of food. Loaves and Fishes uses a herbs from Sandhill Organics of Brodhead. Inn Serendipity of Browntown and others have provided tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. All are included in the month's meal or saved (frozen, canned, etc.) for later months.
Katie Brugger, an early steering committee member, asked Grace Lutheran Church to sponsor a meal, at a cost of $300. The church gave $500.
"It's over the top," Marilee said. "My cup runneth over."
Vincent's Pizza provided enough food for 60 meals and donated what they made as a fundraiser. Moose Hall provided the hall and the dishes.
There are a number of anonymous donors, both individuals and families.
The meals are served on china and white napkins wrap the silverware.
"We want to treat all who come with dignity," said Marilee.
People contribute in other ways as well. Father Brian plays the piano and occasionally provides dinner music. Chuck Wellington plays the flute. Tom Nelson, an Albany artist, designed the logo. He was on the original Steering committee.
John and Susan Gillespie from Beloit are in charge of all the proper procedures, including serving temperatures of the food, cleaning everywhere, and seeing to it that hair nets and gloves are used.
"Everybody contributes something different," Marilee said.
Anyone interested in making a donation may contact Curran at curran@tds.net. Contact Phillips at dnbp@tds.net to volunteer; contact Marilee Backstrand at marileebackstrand@gmail.com to share food; and contact Father Brain at St. Andrews Church at 608-328-8265 for more information.
"Loaves and Fishes makes you believe in miracles. At St. Andrews Episcopal Church there are only 18 to 20 members. Shows what a catalyst can do," Marilee said.
Monroe
MONROE - "People are being nourished in one way or another," said Marilee Backstrand, referring to the fourth Sunday of every month when there is a free community meal called the Loaves and Fishes held in Grace Lutheran Church from 4 to 6 p.m.
"We wanted the people who did not have the means for a full meal, drinks like iced tea, coffee, white and chocolate milk and dessert to have one," said Backstrand, wife of Father Brian Backstrand, priest at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Monroe. "And to use the meal as a place to build community through hospitality."
The idea to have such a meal began with the small but active congregation and Father Brian at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. There was no community meal in Monroe and they felt there was a need. Father Brian chairs the steering committee.
"But there was no way our little church could do this," Marilee said.
First, Father Brian applied to the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee for a Meachem grant to get it started. It was for projects that individual churches wanted to do.
"But we needed to reach out to other churches and had to have a group of people who wanted to be involved and become our steering committee."
In 2011, Father Brian sent out letters to other churches and made a couple of calls and "it kind of snowballed," Marilee said. "We had a steering committee of 13 people at our first meeting."
The next thing needed was a location for the meal.
"Grace Lutheran Church gave us great help. They had a kitchen certified to serve meals and offered their large dinning room and well-equipped kitchen to use for Loaves and Fishes meals," said Marilee.
Loaves and Fishes got state certification to serve meals there. They currently are seeking 501c3 status as well.
In April 2012, Loaves and Fishes had their first free community meal. Since then, a number of people and organizations have sponsored a meal. The cost is $300.
The next step was to find volunteers and Donna Phillips answered the call. She coordinates all the volunteers and makes certain there are 15 to 20 volunteers for each meal. She has more than 150 volunteers. She is also in charge of dessert.
Marilee coordinates the food for the main meal. The goal is to have a variety of local, seasonal, and healthy foods.
Everybody contributes what they are good at.
"Ellen Rogers brought puzzles and games, and also served the desserts at every meal," she said.
Sue Curran, an author of three mystery books, gets the donors to sponsor the meal.
"She is amazing at it. She has donors lined up well into 2014," Marilee said.
Colony Brands sponsors the April meal and provides meals and other foods behind the scenes. Thrivent Lutheran and Schrenk Roofing each sponsored a month. Some groups, such as St. Vincent de Paul, Monroe United Methodist, and Juda/Oakley and Zion Methodist churches, do the cooking and serving as well as provide the food.
St. Victor Catholic School provided a meal and made decorations on 100 placemats and 100 goodie bags to take home after the meal. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish Confirmation class served the meal.
The Kittelsen, Barry, Wellington, Thompson and Schluesche attorney firm sponsor one meal a year. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts help serve the meals. Other involved youngsters are the Harvest Ninjas, launched by Liam Kivirist. They harvest foods that are not wanted like apples, plums and peaches from the tree, and potatoes underground.
Local farms contribute a substantial amount of food. Loaves and Fishes uses a herbs from Sandhill Organics of Brodhead. Inn Serendipity of Browntown and others have provided tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. All are included in the month's meal or saved (frozen, canned, etc.) for later months.
Katie Brugger, an early steering committee member, asked Grace Lutheran Church to sponsor a meal, at a cost of $300. The church gave $500.
"It's over the top," Marilee said. "My cup runneth over."
Vincent's Pizza provided enough food for 60 meals and donated what they made as a fundraiser. Moose Hall provided the hall and the dishes.
There are a number of anonymous donors, both individuals and families.
The meals are served on china and white napkins wrap the silverware.
"We want to treat all who come with dignity," said Marilee.
People contribute in other ways as well. Father Brian plays the piano and occasionally provides dinner music. Chuck Wellington plays the flute. Tom Nelson, an Albany artist, designed the logo. He was on the original Steering committee.
John and Susan Gillespie from Beloit are in charge of all the proper procedures, including serving temperatures of the food, cleaning everywhere, and seeing to it that hair nets and gloves are used.
"Everybody contributes something different," Marilee said.
Anyone interested in making a donation may contact Curran at curran@tds.net. Contact Phillips at dnbp@tds.net to volunteer; contact Marilee Backstrand at marileebackstrand@gmail.com to share food; and contact Father Brain at St. Andrews Church at 608-328-8265 for more information.
"Loaves and Fishes makes you believe in miracles. At St. Andrews Episcopal Church there are only 18 to 20 members. Shows what a catalyst can do," Marilee said.
