Marking 25 years of serving lunch

The event offers fellowship for the soul and food for the stomach.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR

YOUNGSTOWN — When Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. closed and heavy industry declined, taking away jobs and creating hardship, the deacons of Gibson Heights-Second Presbyterian Church saw a spiritual and practical need.

First billed as “Free Meal for the Needy” in October 1982, the event evolved into a community fellowship luncheon. It’s still free, and it’s still attracting some of people who first came.

The luncheon Wednesday marked its 25th anniversary of serving the community. For participants, fellowship buoys the spirit and the food fills the stomach.

“The free meal was started by the deacons because when the steel mills closed, it was a really bad time,” said Sharon Moison, a lifelong church member involved since the beginning. “Unemployment skyrocketed, and the deacons saw something was needed.”

In its early years, the free meal, always served on the last Wednesday of each month, drew more than 100 people each time. “We’ve served thousands of meals,” Moison said. “But we never tallied them up.”

Though the deacons initiated the project, the church’s Ladies Guild came on board to assist. “The deacons and guild buy and pay for the food,” Moison said. Years ago, the food came from Second Harvest Food Bank; now some food and monetary donations help the project.

The menu has been varied. The menus have offered a variety of soups, stews, chili, sandwiches and other entreés.

As community circumstances changed, so has the luncheon. “We wanted to keep it going because it’s a nice idea,” Moison said, and so it’s now billed as a community fellowship luncheon.

“Some people and families who came at the beginning are still coming,” Moison said. Some people who have attended over the years have donated toward the cause.

“One time, a guy stopped his truck in front of the church as the church secretary was coming in. He rushed up to her ... she was a little afraid of his intentions ... but he handed her $50 and told her the free meals had helped him when he needed them and wanted to give something back,” Moison said.

The luncheon also helps the church fulfill its community outreach. “We find out about people who might need some help, and they go on the list for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets,” Moison said.

Pastor Bob Offerdahl is serving part time at Gibson Heights-Second Presbyterian, 755 E. Dewey Ave. “There are hungry people out there,” he said. “This helps marginally employed people.”

He said food was only part of the event. “People are hungry for relationships and interaction,” he said. “Some people have sought me out when they’re concerned about something. We pray together.”

The anniversary luncheon menu featured creamed chicken over biscuits, mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce and cake. Sixty people attended.

Among them were:

UEmily Davidson of Boardman. Up until she was sidelined by an injury six months ago, she helped serve the lunch. Davidson was with the project when it began and has the clipping from the Youngstown Daily Vindicator to prove it. “It was a way to help people,” she said.

UJoan Davis of Youngstown, deacon moderator. A deacon for 15 years, she’s been involved in the event for a decade. “It’s a good outreach in the community,” she said, noting that half those who attend need the free meal; others come for fellowship.

UBeverly Johnson of North Lima. She was there when the free meal started. “We’ve always been a friendly neighborhood church. The lunch was a big success,” she said, “and we could see so many people needed some help at the end of the month.”

UBetty Haddle of Youngstown and Nell Auman of Struthers. The kitchen workers said they start cooking at 9 a.m. and the recipes have been a hit. “We use a pinch of that and dash of this,” Auman said. “The recipe books have been handed down since it started,” Haddle said, “and the women show up to help.”

UJoe Binski of Youngstown. “I’ve been coming from the beginning. It has helped me out,” he said. “And the food is excellent.”

UCarmel and Robert Bennett of Youngstown, who attended with their children. “It really helps us out,” she said. Her husband, who is disabled, said they had been coming for 12 years. “It’s a wonderful community thing,” he said.

UCarol Donnelly of Youngstown. “I came to help them celebrate the 25th. This event shows the commitment of the church,” she said.