Several churches across the city serve lunches and dinners, filling the bellies of those in need, bringing smiles to faces and fostering strong connections.
The Athens County Foundation and Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service defines food security in their 2024 report as the “consistent ability to access enough food for an active, healthy life."
Without food security, a family or individual is deemed “food insecure” and Athens County residents experience this type of insecurity at a higher rate than others in the state and nation.
The Plains has over 900 food-insecure individuals, making it the largest county affected by food insecurity. Additionally, there are 360 food-insecure individuals in Athens, 860 in Nelsonville and 530 in Albany.
As food insecurity continues to impact families, students and residents, local churches have come to the rescue, packing meals and cultivating positive interactions. The Athens Church of Christ on 785 W. Union St. started its Tuesday night meal service over 30 years ago at its old location on the east side.
Jill Kasler, a volunteer, was part of the first meal service group and said the meals were previously served dine-in style but transitioned to carryout during the pandemic.
“We plan menus together and divvy up tasks,” Kasler said. “We just try to make it a variety being as cost-effective as we can but still having a hot meal. I think we are one of the few (churches) that have an evening full meal.”
Between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m., Kasler said over 100 meals are served, with items including vegetarian, vegan, meat and dessert options.
The food is packed and prepared in the kitchen and Kasler, alongside other volunteers, awaits a text message alert from minister Bruce Stoker and his wife, Sandy, with the number of meals needed outside. As locals wait for their meals, Stoker engages in conversation, often seeing a familiar face and catching up.
“I am talking to folks out here and you get to know individuals (and) you may find that as you talk to other groups, a lot of these individuals know each other too, through these meals,” Stoker said. “(I) pray for a lot of people standing there outside (and) they pray for me, it is a shared life.”
There are a plethora of free meals for locals to choose from, including Monday lunches from noon to 1 p.m. at Athens First United Methodist Church, Wednesday lunches from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Thursday suppers from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at United Campus Ministry Center and “Friday Night Life” at Good Works, Inc. from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In addition to weekly meal options, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd offers a Saturday lunch from noon to 1 p.m. at 64 University Terrace. David Burton, senior warden, said the lunch service is in partnership with UCM.
“The reason for the Saturday lunch that we started this year (was) to offer people in Athens who might not have any place to eat or anything to eat on the weekend,” Burton said.
Sack lunches consist of soup, a slice of bread, fruit, a dessert and water. Burton said when he attends the service, he represents the Good Shepherd, but it is the UCM volunteers who pack the food and hand it out to the eight people who come each week.
Good Shepherd also offers a hot lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. The tradition started 20 years ago, but Burton said lunches were “shortened” during the pandemic, and it was not until two years ago, upon UCM’s request, that the hot lunch service restarted.
“We have volunteers who have helped us from UCM and from the OU Circle K Club,” Burton said. “We say maybe about 40 people … and we feed them, and that is very fulfilling because we see the need. People come and they can have some fellowship and see people that maybe they know (and) have a good meal in a safe place.”
The 2024 Food Security report finds the median annual income for Athens residents is $48,265, placing 22% of the county below the poverty line. The city's food insecurity problem generates $18 million in additional healthcare costs each year, increasing levels of cholesterol, heart disease, asthma and hypertension in residents, according to the report.
Due to the high numbers of people dealing with food insecurity, churches encourage anyone interested to volunteer and benefit the neighborhood. Stoker said the Church of Christ’s meal service is welcome to anyone and those looking to volunteer can call 740-593-7414 or message their Facebook page.
“I think it is important for the church to be part of the community … we are all in this together,” Stoker said. “This is a tangible way of putting our faith into action, there are a lot of folks who are hurting for a number of different reasons.”
