MONROE - The Loaves & Fishes Community Meal each month may have developed initially out of need - but after years in the making, it's now become a place where people gather for friendship, gratitude and a home-cooked meal.
When Marilee and Rev. Brian Backstrand of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Monroe noticed the need for a soup kitchen in the area about six years ago, they quickly formed a committee. The consensus was that Monroe could use a place where people could come together to not only enjoy a free meal, but build a community, which is exactly what has been done from the birth of Loaves & Fishes.
"It's great not only being able to provide for people that may need a hot meal, but also we have community building," said Donna Phillips, volunteer coordinator.
The non-profit group utilizes volunteers from local churches and service-oriented residents who want to help out. The meal serves more than 100 people each month, including the volunteers and carry-out meals.
Phillips makes sure there are at least 22 people lined for each meal, and many of them have volunteered since the beginning.
"The best part is the people I've met along the way," Marilee said. "The other volunteers and all the guests that come back every month."
Dee Ericksen of Monroe said she attends the meal regularly and enjoys bringing her daughter and grandchildren. She said being part of the gathering has been a positive experience.
Monroe resident Sybil Geehan is a regular volunteer in the community, helping out at Pleasant View Nursing Home and Family Promise, among others, but always makes a point to lend a hand at Loaves & Fishes.
"We encourage everyone to come," Geehan said. "There are some people that say 'I don't want to go there; I don't need a free meal' but we want them to come anyway and we have a place where they can make a donation and have them mix with the other folks."
Marilee Backstrand and Sue Curran coordinate all of the food preparation for the event. Sponsors and cooks vary from month to month.
Chris Wellington, Monroe, has been volunteering for almost four years at the event, and said some of the volunteers have developed a camaraderie and a special type of friendship.
"It's not just about feeding people, but also providing companionship and community, which is an important part of what we do," Wellington said. "Especially in the winter; it's nice to get out and come have good home-cooked food."
The next Loaves and Fishes Community Meal will be 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at Grace Lutheran Church. Loaves and Fishes will be partnering with the Literacy Council of Green County and will be serving Guatemalan food.
When Marilee and Rev. Brian Backstrand of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Monroe noticed the need for a soup kitchen in the area about six years ago, they quickly formed a committee. The consensus was that Monroe could use a place where people could come together to not only enjoy a free meal, but build a community, which is exactly what has been done from the birth of Loaves & Fishes.
"It's great not only being able to provide for people that may need a hot meal, but also we have community building," said Donna Phillips, volunteer coordinator.
The non-profit group utilizes volunteers from local churches and service-oriented residents who want to help out. The meal serves more than 100 people each month, including the volunteers and carry-out meals.
Phillips makes sure there are at least 22 people lined for each meal, and many of them have volunteered since the beginning.
"The best part is the people I've met along the way," Marilee said. "The other volunteers and all the guests that come back every month."
Dee Ericksen of Monroe said she attends the meal regularly and enjoys bringing her daughter and grandchildren. She said being part of the gathering has been a positive experience.
Monroe resident Sybil Geehan is a regular volunteer in the community, helping out at Pleasant View Nursing Home and Family Promise, among others, but always makes a point to lend a hand at Loaves & Fishes.
"We encourage everyone to come," Geehan said. "There are some people that say 'I don't want to go there; I don't need a free meal' but we want them to come anyway and we have a place where they can make a donation and have them mix with the other folks."
Marilee Backstrand and Sue Curran coordinate all of the food preparation for the event. Sponsors and cooks vary from month to month.
Chris Wellington, Monroe, has been volunteering for almost four years at the event, and said some of the volunteers have developed a camaraderie and a special type of friendship.
"It's not just about feeding people, but also providing companionship and community, which is an important part of what we do," Wellington said. "Especially in the winter; it's nice to get out and come have good home-cooked food."
The next Loaves and Fishes Community Meal will be 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at Grace Lutheran Church. Loaves and Fishes will be partnering with the Literacy Council of Green County and will be serving Guatemalan food.