Monday’s sun shone bright outside the Loaves & Fishes Community Soup Kitchen in Columbus. Even before the door officially opened, a long line of people had formed, patiently waiting on the sidewalk outside. At 11:30 a.m., meal distribution began. That has a different look in these days of COVID-19. The ecumenical ministry that provides midday meals to those who need them no longer can invite guests to sit, eat and converse inside at tables. Since March, bagged grab-and-go meals are being given out from a table set up in the doorway by volunteers in masks. Overall, food insecurities have increased as the pandemic has stressed the job market. The virus heightening the community’s need for Loaves & Fishes’ ministry is also thwarting its ability to hold its traditional sole annual fundraiser. In years past, that has entailed a night of auctions, music and dining to raise needed monies to help keep the doors open. Even though a volunteer network of churches and even some businesses provide, prepare and serve meals three to four days each week, other expenses exist.

“Our fundraiser helps us keep the lights on, pay the utilities, covers repairs,” said volunteer Lee Burdine Monday during a brief pause in distributing more than 200 sacked lunches. Community donations also help cover supplies including disposable utensils and more. In fact, the shift to bagged meals has added costs, said Loaves & Fishes co-president Ann Sparkman.

“It’s really more expensive to do these lunches than when we served in-house,” she remarked. “We’re trying to supplement the volunteer groups if they need help. We’re furnishing materials they normally wouldn’t use, like (condiment) packets and takeout boxes. Those are additional expenses for us now.”

Committed to keeping the doors open during a pandemic which stresses many families’ incomes, the soup kitchen committee adjusted not only their budget but also their protocols.

“Everyone has to wear a mask, and we wipe down and spray everything that has been used,” Sparkman said. “There is no contact between (guests) and servers. We have tables that keep them at least 6 feet apart, and we have a limited number of people that can be in the kitchen helping.”

Adjusting to 2020

While a festive event in a crowded venue isn’t possible this year, Loaves & Fishes has come up with an alternative for its seventh annual fundraiser — a pork loin takeout dinner set for Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5-7 p.m.

“It’s takeout only, and these will be generous portions,” said Fred Kinder, who co-chairs the event with Burdine and Anne Russell Bradley.

Tickets for dinners of pork loin, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread and dessert are $15 each, or two dinners for $25. Pickup will be at the drive-through portico of the First United Methodist Church building at 602 College St.

Tickets should be purchased in advance; a limit of 400 will be sold and sales are already brisk, Kinder said. Tickets are available at First United Methodist Church, Annunciation Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Columbus Arts Council and Military Hardware. For anyone unable to purchase in person, tickets may be reserved by calling 662-425-6408. The committee cannot guarantee any tickets will be available on the day of event.

All food will be prepared on-site in the large FUMC kitchen, and safety guidelines are emphasized.

“This is no- or low-contact pickup,” Kinder said. “You can even pop your truck and we can put the dinners there if you want.”

City limits delivery

A decided perk of advance ticket purchase is that patrons who live in the city limits may request delivery, thanks to the recruitment of several Heritage Academy students.

“We’ve gotten some of the junior class involved,” said HA Director of Development Cheryl Maner. “Some will help box up food, some, if needed, will be driving their vehicles with a runner and going to various homes in the city limits to deliver food.”

The project not only helps Loaves & Fishes; it also helps students earn community service hours. That’s been harder this year because so many volunteer opportunities have been interrupted by the pandemic, noted Maner. Any tips to delivery teams will benefit junior class projects.

You can help

Supporting Thursday’s fundraiser is one way to be part of Loaves & Fishes. Another is to volunteer to help provide meals. Serving times are 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on designated days at 223 22nd St. N.

Churches, clubs and commercial businesses are invited to inquire about specifics by contacting Carol Perkerson at 662-386-2206. Tuesdays and Thursdays are currently the days teams are most needed.

Community support is essential to the mission.

“We do one fundraiser each year, and therefore the fundraiser we do is of utmost importance for us to be able to maintain Loaves & Fishes,” Bradley said. “Without the funds raised we would have a much more difficult time providing food for those who need it.”

A slogan on fliers for Thursday’s takeout event sums it up: “Eat with us tonight so others may eat with us all year.”

Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.