St. Andrewes seeks to be community ‘blessing’

By Linda Linonis

A free lunch is available most Wednesdays at the historic Youngstown church.

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of St. Andrewes African Methodist Episcopal Church have resurrected an appetizing tradition. A free lunch is offered from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesdays for all who wish to attend.

The church, which holds the distinction of being the oldest of black American heritage in the Mahoning Valley, can trace the legacy of the event to when the church was located on West Rayen Avenue.

Rosalind Willis, lunch coordinator, said she looks to Bertha Dickens for mentorship and support. Dickens coordinated the lunches that took place in the 1970s and ’80s at the Rayen location.

“I’m not in the kitchen anymore,” the 83-year-old Dickens said. But the lifelong member continues to “help out.” She was doing just that Wednesday as she poured punch into glasses.

This week marked the third free lunch in St. Andrewes’ large fellowship hall at 521 W. Earle Ave., which also is its temporary worship place. St. Andrewes was downtown from 1951 to 2002, relocating in 2003 to its current site. The church celebrated its 140th anniversary this summer.

As the diverse group of people filed in for this week’s meal of beef over rice, green beans, candied carrots, roll and butter, cake and beverage, it was clear many were glad the church is offering the free lunch once again. And it was evident many had attended the lunches on Rayen. “They were and still are good cooks” was one comment overheard.

Willis said she and her husband, Jimmy, a member for some 60 years, went to the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Steven A. Jackson, about sponsoring the event. “We want to be a blessing to the community,” he said, noting that he hopes to expand the church’s outreach program with a health fair in the future.

Jimmy Willis said he “had a vision about helping Youngstown” and “doing something for the community.”

The first week, about 60 people dined on spaghetti and meatballs, and last week, about 85 ate chicken wings. This week saw an attendance of 153.

Rosalind Willis said she does weekly shopping at Second Harvest Food Bank. The church crew of volunteers does the preparation work Tuesdays and finishes up Wednesday morning.

“We have about five cooks and 10 servers,” she said. “We serve the people ... it’s not a buffet.”

She said the decision to serve that style was twofold — to make people feel like guests and for safety and cleanliness because of the flu.

In addition to the free lunch, people can sign up to get a free bag of groceries on the third Wednesday of each month. Free clothes are available every Wednesday.

“We’ve seen senior citizens from the neighborhood come, and we’ve had some young people come on bikes,” Rosalind Willis said. “We see people in need.”

But, Rosalind Willis said, many in attendance have two reasons for being there — the food and fellowship. “It’s nice to eat a meal with someone,” she said.

Diane Miller, a church member since birth, said she helps in the kitchen and signs people up for groceries. They must present identification and meet income guidelines. She emphasized that all are welcome, and it’s nice to see people mingle and share fellowship.

Clara Gordon, a member for some 60 years, is a cook. “I like to do for people,” she said, noting that she and the other cooks use their own recipes and others from the church family.

Rose Yates, a lifelong member, and Darlene Miller, a 47-year member, both like to volunteer. Both voiced the idea that this project “was the Christian thing to do.” Gordon said it was part of church work to help people, and Miller said the lunch was a good outreach.

Jean Tillman and Wilma Williams, both of Youngstown, said the lunches provide the chance to be with people and have some good food.

Williams said her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Dukes, belonged to St. Andrewes, and visiting the church brought back memories.

The church won’t have a lunch next week because of the Thanksgiving holiday when so many other meals are available. The next lunch is Dec. 2.

St. Andrewes African Methodist Episcopal Church, 521 W. Earle St., Youngstown, joins several other sites that provide free meals to those in need. Among sites are:

Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, 962 Martin Luther King Blvd., Youngstown: Breakfast from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m., lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week including holidays.

St. John Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown: The church has had the Red Door Cafe at the church for some 20 years. A free meal is available from noon to 1 p.m. Sundays. St. John’s congregation, other churches and school groups take turns making and serving the meals.

Warren Family Mission, 361 Elm Road, Warren: Lunch is at 11 a.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. seven days a week.

Warren Family Mission West, 1228 W. Market St., Warren: Lunch is at 11 a.m. and dinner at 4 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul Society, 208 W. Front St., Youngstown: Lunch is from 10:30 a.m. to noon weekdays and breakfast from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays. Meals also go to shut-ins.

Salvation Army, 1501 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown: Kingdom Meals Ministry, a group of churches of many denominations, provides a meal from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Sundays.