By Scott D. Johnston

For The Daily World

Galilean Lutheran Church has begun offering a free community meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday in Ocean Shores.

Each Friday morning, a crew of about 10 volunteers from multiple churches and groups rearranges the Galilean Fellowship Hall, transforming it into what they call the Grace Cafe. They then prep, cook, serve and clean up.

Ocean Shores McDonald’s and Jay’s Produce in Aberdeen are among those donating food and supplies to the church at 824 Ocean Shores Blvd NW.

The church started the weekly meal in August with a simple goal, according to project co-chairwoman Leslie Reedy: “to take care of folks in our community who are in need.”

Co-chairwoman Nina Chalupnik said the effort grew out of the desire of Galilean Pastor Collette Gould “to address the needs of the homeless, the hungry, the lonely, people that are down on their luck, the disadvantaged. She has a real heart for that.”

Father Steve Roman of St. Jerome Catholic Church said Gould “has done a lot of groundwork” getting information about homelessness in the area, and “realized somebody should do something.” He said the effort has been “encouraged and assured of help from different quarters.”

Over the first three Fridays, turnout has grown from 16 to 39.

“What we have seen since we opened is not so much the homeless or people who are disadvantaged, but we’ve had a lot of seniors come in who just want social time,” said Reedy. “So this has kind of morphed into a community meal.”

Reedy said serving people food at their tables, as opposed to buffet-style, is an effort for people who are often overlooked to receive some rare personal service and attention. “We really want people to feel that there’s a safe and warm place to come and have a meal and feel special,” Chalupnik added.

“Here, all are welcome,” said Gould.

Initially, the pastor “hoped to do this every day; we’re just not there yet,” Reedy said.

“There’s something significant about breaking bread together,” said Gould. “There are so many people who don’t know that they’re loved, don’t know that they’re cared for. … We want them to know that God loves them and we’re called to love them, too.”

(Scott D. Johnston | For The Daily World) Volunteer Connie Jones serves dessert during a recent free community meal at Galilean Lutheran Church in Ocean Shores.