Volunteers are hard at owek each week preapring free meals for over 300 people in the Peebles community. (Photo provided)
By Mark Carpenter
and Casey Reed
During the snowy days of January earlier this year, a small group of people from the community of Peebles had a spark of an idea that has exploded into a fire over the past months.
With snow on the ground, and super cold temperatures coming, a few individuals from the Peebles Methodist Church decided to make homemade spaghetti and garlic bread to be handed out in downtown Peebles with the hope that they could provide free hot meals to those in need for the remainder of the winter. The first week they handed out 27 meals. Following the “if you build it, they will come” philosophy, the group arranged to pass meals out from downtown locations such as the American Legion and the Peebles Firehouse in subsequent weeks. And you know what? They didn’t come.
After hauling all of the food downtown to these easily accessible locations, the tables sat empty, but the group of volunteers did not get discouraged. Instead, a few local businesswomen who had first-hand knowledge of homeless and struggling individuals led the efforts to go door-to-door simply asking “Would you like a free, hot meal today?”
Moving operations back to the church, the number of meals served in subsequent weeks continued to grow. What was intended to be a short ministry to warm people through the winter has grown into a full-fledged outreach that feeds approximately 300 people each week. Coined “Meals of Hope,” the meal of the week is now advertised on the Peebles Methodist Church social media page and individuals are able to reserve meals for pick-up or delivery.
Each Saturday morning, or Friday evening in the case of 600 eggs needing boiled, peeled, and cut. volunteers come to prepare and package the meal and five different delivery routes begin to disperse the meals as soon as they are ready. In addition to meals, the group has also provided groceries, gas cards, appliances and help with clothing and utilities to families in need.
Everyone knows how much groceries cost per week for a family. Now imagine preparing a home-cooked meal for 300 each week. This volunteer group has applied for several grant opportunities and have received some financial assistance but to maintain such an outreach, it will take continued community support.
In July, the group is hosting a fundraiser where you can purchase a homemade meal of chicken and noodles with all of the fixings for $50 or they will appreciate monetary donations via PayPal. All proceeds will go toward the Meals of Hope outreach. Also, the program can always use more volunteers. If you would like to show up and help, you can meet at 1370 Measley Ridge Road in Peebles any Saturday around 10 a.m. or you can message the church on Facebook.
