Free community lunch program at St. Paul’s church kicks off Saturday

A local church is once again partnering with culinary students from Greater Fort Erie Secondary School to provide a hot meal for those who need one.

Starting this weekend, St. Paul’s Anglican Church will host the Idlewylde Community Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It will be held the second Saturday of every month until late winter, said Reverend Dan Bennett.

The church previously held a free meal for local residents before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was put on hold due to restrictions.

They also decided to rebrand the offering, no longer calling it ‘Food for the Soul,’ said Bennett, noting there was “some confusion” about what the event involved.

There is no prayer group or Bible study attached to the lunch.

“It’s a meal. That’s all it is,” said Bennett. “The idea is to have a place that’s warm, safe, and dry, to sit down and relax to have a meal, without any expense.”

Last year, the lunch received no more than about 20 guests, but Bennett is hoping as word spreads, a larger crowd will take advantage this season.

“We certainly plan for more,” said Bennett.

There is a “great need in town,” he added, noting that it’s important to provide something like this, even if it’s only once a month.

“They’re grateful for anything they can get to help stretch the budget,” he said.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church is located at 32 Idlewylde Street.

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