Join PICC to break bread Saturday evenings
Each Saturday evening, folks from all walks of life gather at the Pine Island Community Church to share companionship, fellowship and a hearty meal, free of charge.
In an effort to make sure that no one goes without at least one hot meal a week or to have an opportunity to get out and enjoy the company of others, volunteers from the church have dedicated themselves to preparing and serving a home-cooked meal each week. With the help of Winn-Dixie and Little Lilly’s Island Deli, the church provides a buffet dinner at the “Worship Warehouse” at 5320 Doug Taylor Circle beginning at 6 p.m.
Contributing each week, the Deli provides fresh, homemade soups and Winn-Dixie supplies a variety of baked goods while the main entree is prepared by a staff of church volunteers.
“The meals are nutritionally well balanced and delicious, with choices of meat dishes, casseroles, pasta, rice or potatoes, fresh salads, vegetables, rolls, deserts and beverages,” said church volunteer Susan McGuire. “On some Saturdays, the meals have themes. Italian night featured grilled Italian sausage, a variety of lasagnas, ravioli, spaghetti and other pastas, meatballs, a choice of Caesar or tossed salad, garlic bread and crusty rolls as well as fruits, desserts and beverages. During the times when the weather permits we set up outside under a canopy and serve what we call PICC-Nic style suppers. When the weather is not so great we set up indoors. The best part is that there is no feel of a ‘food line’ here. Our guests are always encouraged to seconds and one gets a sense of a big family pot-luck dinner with the children enjoying the playmates and adults involved in conversation.”
According to McGuire, the mission of the community dinner is twofold.
“The primary mission is to enrich the nutrition and abundance of islanders who may need it. This isn’t only those without enough food, but those who find themselves having to choose less nutritional foods to stretch the food dollar and sometimes having to sacrifice fresh produce or high protein foods in favor less expensive starches.” McGuire said. “With the cost of groceries and other necessities sky rocketing, and no increases in Social Security, our older residents are often in this situation. Many guests are young people in their first jobs or summer jobs who find that starter-job incomes don’t go far enough with the recent spike in gas prices and commuting costs a new necessity. Young families with growing children need to satisfy growing appetites when they are also facing shrinking dollars.”
“The other mission is to provide a social opportunity for the alone and or lonely, particularly newcomers and the single elderly. Islanders are encouraged to bring their neighbors who could benefit and stay and enjoy the atmosphere and food as well.”
The Community Meal began serving the people of Pine Island over two years ago as a cooperative program of the Pine Island Community Church and non-affiliated volunteers fro other organizations. It first began serving meals from the space now known as New Beginnings Church and later moved the the warehouse location in October of 2010.
A regular volunteer is Peggy Cozaad, a PICC member and Kiwanis volunteer, helps to coordinate transportation to the Saturday evening meals for those who need them.
“We have volunteers who can provide rides to some of our older folks. I know we have neighbors and residents who would love to be here, but don’t drive anymore, or don’t like to drive to new places,” Cozaad said. “Anyone who wants a ride should just call the church and we can set that up. This is such a lovely meal with such friendly people, no one who needs a night out or a good meal should miss it just because they can’t get here.”
For more information about the free Saturday evening Community Dinner or to arrange transportation, call the Pine Island Community Church office on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 283-9944.