Free flu shots, warm coats available at Jan. 31 Stone Soup meal

Free flu shots and warm coats will be available at the Jan. 31 Stone Soup community meal at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.

Everyone is invited to the free community meal, scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, a press release said. The church is located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The Stone Soup team will prepare and serve homemade white chicken chili, corn bread, and a cookie and milk.

The Stone Soup Ministry team has partnered with the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, or FMCOR, to provide free flu shots to anyone in need. Nurses who are volunteers at FMCOR will be on hand to give the shots, the press release said. The vaccine is being provided by the clinic.

Flu activity in Tennessee is now considered to be widespread, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts agree that even though the flu is circulating in the community, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

Along with the meal and flu shots will be a large selection of donated gently worn coats, hats, and scarves for anyone in need to take.

On the final Friday of each month, the team that is comprised of teens to seniors become the shoppers, veggie choppers, bean soakers and cookers, bakers and chefs, servers, and dish washers who roll up their sleeves to provide meals for about 125 people, the press release said. About half of the meals are sent out to two organizations. The remaining meals are served at the church or are picked up for take-away. Since starting in September 2010, nearly 3,000 meals have been served.

“We want to make sure that we emphasize that the Stone Soup free community meal is open to anyone who wants to come,” said Jinx Watson, Stone Soup program coordinator. “While most of those who attend are our ‘food insecure’ neighbors and friends, others say that coming is a great way to combat loneliness and make new friends,”

The Stone Soup Ministry is supported by donations of food and financial support from individuals in the ORUUC Congregation as well as financial donations from caring individuals in the Oak Ridge community.

For more information about the Jan. 31 meal, call the ORUUC office at (865) 483-6761.