Until last Wednesday, there were four days a week when hungry people in New Albany could find a free, hot meal. Now, thanks to a partnership between St. Paul’s, New Albany, the Dare to Care Food Bank, and the local outreach group Uplift Them, Inc., that number has grown by an additional day.
Since beginning in ministry as the rector of St. Paul’s, New Albany this spring, the Rev. Allan Wallace has been looking for ways to strengthen the congregation’s ministries to connect with neighbors and to stand with those who are vulnerable and marginalized. Members of St. Paul’s have cared for people by offering dinner on Friday nights through their Shepherd’s Kitchen ministry.
In recent months they learned that several organizations which had been offering meals prior to the pandemic were not able to continue. As a result, there were three days a week when hungry people in the community were not able to find a hot meal in New Albany.
The people of St. Paul’s hoped to address that need. They could offer a location for the meal, in the Carriage House at the church where the Shepherd’s Kitchen already provides meals on Fridays. They had connections with the Dare to Care Food Bank, which supplies much of the food served at Shepherd’s Kitchen for free or at reduced cost. What they needed were additional volunteers to prepare and serve meals.
Uplift Them, Inc., is a local nonprofit serving people who are unhoused, “offering help to those looking for a different way of life to get resources they need.” They committed to collaborating in this ministry by hosting meals in the Carriage House at St. Paul’s on Wednesday evenings.
The first meals of this new partnership were served last Wednesday, December 7. Volunteers from Uplift Them, Inc., were joined by members of a local Girl Scout troop. Together, they served dinner to 50 people.
Father Allan says, “In times such as these, we are finding that creative collaboration is essential to meet the needs of those in our communities. We are so thankful for the partnerships of both Uplift Them, Inc. and Dare to Care Food Bank for their willingness to serve our neighbors in this way.”
