Submitted
The community is invited to join in the celebration of the seventh birthday of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Stone Soup Free Community Meal on Friday, September 29. On the menu will be taco salad, Mexican rice, fresh fruit, and of course, birthday cake for dessert.
An assortment of nonperishable family friendly groceries will be available for free to anyone in need. Dine in or take out will be available from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.
“While many of our guests are our food insecure neighbors, we want to start our eighth year making sure that we emphasize that the community meal is open to anyone who would like to come,” said program co-coordinator Jinx Watson. “There are a lot of connections that are made, not only among the guests, but also among the guests and the team. We enjoy dining with them and love the opportunity to celebrate someone’s birthday, hear news about their families, and build friendships. For some, attending is as much about the welcoming atmosphere as it is about the meal.”
“Since starting in 2010, we have never missed serving a community meal on the final Friday of each month. We think it is important to be consistent and dependable because we’re aware that many of our guests are struggling to make ends meet and that money to buy food is scarce at the end of the month,” said Abbie Moore, who also coordinates the ministry. “Hunger doesn’t take a break on holidays or vacations.”
The ministry is supported by donations of food and financial support from individuals in the ORUUC Congregation, the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, and community partners Kroger for donations of fresh fruit and Hank’s Market for non-perishable foods.
For more information about the September 29 meal, please call the ORUUC office at (865) 483-6761.
This press release was submitted by Maureen Hoyt.
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