![Manitowoc Parish Continues Tradition of Offering Free Community Meals](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1960/files/2023/10/community-meals.jpg)
For the past 15 years or so, First Presbyterian Church in Manitowoc has been offering free meals for the community.
While on WOMT’s Be My Guest program last Thursday (October 5th), Pastor Matt Sauer told host Lee Douglas that the program is more popular now than it ever has been.
“Right now, we are at the point where every Wednesday night we are feeding 200 people,” he revealed. “Last night, I probably could have used another 20 meals.”
That being said, some weeks they don’t quite hit the 200 mark, so that seems to be their magic number.
Sauer also addressed a concern that was voiced to him by a member of the community.
They noted that some of the people who are in line for the meals have nice cars, making them wonder if everyone who gets one really needs it.
Sauer noted that there is a lot to unpack with that statement.
“Just because somebody has a nice car doesn’t mean everything else in their life is good, but one of the simple things is we have people who intentionally are delivering meals to others,” he revealed. “We have folks that come by and take some meals to folks in the Southfield Townhouses…to some elderly people that are their neighbors. The meals are great, but they don’t have a black market value.”
Sauer also explained that the meals can sometimes be a good way to get out of the house and be social with others.
“There is a person who comes by and picks up a meal, and used to go an eat with their spouse who was at one of the care facilities,” Sauer explained. “That spouse is now passed away, and that person still comes. Those people tend to contribute financially.”
The meals are held every Wednesday night, 52 weeks a year, at First Presbyterian Church, located at 502 North 8th Street from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Sauer also said that they are always in need of volunteers for the meals, whether that is to cook, serve, or clean up.
If you would like to volunteer, you can either call the parish office at 920-682-4688 or send an email to info@MCMUnited.com.