Serving up a community time in Gilboa

GILBOA - For three years a small group of volunteers at Gilboa United Methodist Church cooked a luncheon each Friday as a fundraiser and a place to gather for local residents.
“Then it became too much for us,” said Sue Barker, one of the volunteers. “We did it from 2006 to 2009. It was well attended, but it was a lot of work for just a few people.”
This year the church began offering the meals with a new twist. Touches from the Heart in Glandorf caters the food that is served by volunteers from the church.
“I had so many people stop me on the street and tell me they missed coming on Fridays and seeing friends and neighbors,” Barker said.
As an employee at Touches she approved the owners about the possibility of working together to provide the weekly meals. “It was more about providing a service to the community than making money,” Barker said. She said they also presented the idea to the church trustees before proceeding with the meals. Barker said they do receive a percentage of the proceeds that is used for various church projects.
Barker said the attendance has been good each week, even though the weather hasn’t always been pleasant.
“We have around 50 people come each week,” she said. “It’s nice to see people come and eat and just enjoy each other’s company.”
Each meal includes a choice of two soups, two sandwiches, homemade pies, fruit, soft drinks and chips.
In addition to eating, the residents can also use the visit to the church to visit the Chapel Bells Boutique also located in the basement.
This store of gently-used and handcrafted items opened shortly before the women began serving meals in 2006.
“We had a room filled with a lot of stuff and thought we could clean it and get donated items to offer to residents,” said Eloise Crawfis, a volunteer in the store.
Sitting among glassware, pictures and hand-crocheted doilies, Crawfis, said the popular choices in the store often varies. “It depends on the time of year,” she said.
Proceeds from the sale of items at the boutique are also used for various church programs.