At a time of year associated with bounty, Starkville’s Casserole Kitchen reminds us that not everyone is blessed with it. Thanks to a spirit of caring and sharing, however, anyone in need of periodic hot meals is met with open doors and a seat at the table. The nondenominational outreach provides prepared meals three days weekly to those who need a helping hand.
The program began at First Presbyterian Church in Starkville in 2009. The late Gery Cummings, a member of the congregation, was the inspirational fuel behind its start-up. Six years later, it is going strong and has served well in excess of 30,000 meals, said First Presbyterian Church member Loren Zimmerman. He and Rex Buffington coordinate the community initiative that organizes volunteers to prepare and serve meals.
The Casserole Kitchen serves Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall located at 307 University Drive, Starkville. A third weekly meal is served Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall of The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 105 S. Montgomery St.
“This is truly an ecumenical effort,” said Zimmerman. “We have Presbyterian, Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist and Methodist churches participating, as well a group from Mississippi State’s business school MBA program, Wesley Foundation volunteers and others from different honor societies and other groups.”
Hosts usually expect between 35-45 guests at any given meal. Some have been coming since the program began, but there are almost always new faces.
“They may be passing through town and need a meal, and sometimes people are just going through a difficult time,” Zimmerman said. “We never ask questions. We provide a clean, safe environment for them to enjoy a good meal.”
Food ministry
Mary Vlach and Susie Lowery of Trinity Presbyterian Church coordinated volunteers from their congregation to make Tuesday evening’s Casserole Kitchen. The pre-Thanksgiving feast included turkey, baked chicken, taco casserole, chicken spaghetti, vegetables, salads, fresh fruit, rolls and dessert. The goal is a balanced meal, with an emphasis on protein, fruits and vegetables.
If any food remains after everyone has been served, seconds are offered. Any food left after that is distributed as take-home meals.
“They get all the food we can give them,” Vlach said. “We feel this is an important community mission because we have a high population in our area of people living at the poverty level. We just try to help them out and supplement their food budget.”
Some of the children who come, especially when out of school in summer, seem especially happy for the meal, she added. Some have told volunteers it might be the only one they have that day.
Friendship Baptist Church in Sturgis also participates, handling the meal on the third Saturday of each month.
The church’s music minister, Jeremy Brown, said, “I feel like we need to meet the needs of those who are hungry, and if we meet that physical need that opens up doors to meet the spiritual needs.”
Volunteers agree that answering the call takes on added meaning at times such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, particularly when they see how much it is appreciated by guests.
Zimmerman said, “Quite often we’ll have different ones thank us profusely for what we’re doing and what it means to them.”
Volunteers
Starkville area churches and organizations currently providing meals for the Casserole Kitchen include Adaton Methodist Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, First Assembly of God, First Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Longview, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, Friendship Baptist Church of Sturgis, Grace Presbyterian Church, MSU School of Business MBA Program, St. Joseph Catholic Church, The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Wesley Foundation.
For more information about the Casserole Kitchen in Starkville, contact Zimmerman at 662-312-8403, Rex Buffington at 662-617-1060, or First Presbyterian Church, 662-323-1994.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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