Ecumenical effort spearheaded by local Methodist and Catholic Churches

By THOMAS P. WEAVER

Horizon Editor

CELINA-Those in need of food and fellowship haven’t had to look far for the past decade.

Thanks to a small group of dedicated volunteers who give their time to a cooperative effort between local churches, the community has been able to find both readily available at no charge once a week here at the Celina United Methodist Church for the past 10 years.

The ongoing endeavor takes place every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon, and it is known as the Grace Free Meal.

“The Methodist Church and the Catholic Church support it primarily—that’s how it started, but it is ecumenical,” volunteer group leader Darlene Bethke said of the nondenominational outreach.  “July 22 is the 10-year anniversary date, and we are so grateful for our volunteers.”

Longtime volunteer Dale Braun calculated the number of meals the group has served since its founding in 2014.

“Here lately we have been serving over 100 to 120 meals per week, but for an average over the 10 years, I figured conservatively 70 per week,” Braun, who many know as ‘Mr. B,’ said.  “So, over the 10-year period, that is 36,400 meals.

“That blew my mind!  That is a lot of meals.”

In addition to the impressive numbers, Bethke spoke of the impact the effort has on the community.

“I would say it is very beneficial,” she said.  “There is a great need in this county I think.”

Braun agreed, and said a combination of “hard work, dedication, some donations, and good people” sustains the program.

“Celina always answers the call,” he said.  “That’s what I love about this community—there’s nowhere else like it.

“If you are in trouble and they know it, they will come running.”

Pat Roberts, who was part of the group who founded Grace Free Meal a decade ago, explained how the weekly lunch is much more than a meal.

“The sitting and talking, and sharing is important,” she said.  “To have somebody around to talk to and to have fellowship with—everybody needs that.”

Roberts explained the program was organized by former minister Josh Newberry, whose father-in-law founded a similar effort in Crossville.

“We based this on what they were doing, and they were very successful up there,” she said.  “I was in the organizational meeting when it started, and July 22, 2014 was the first day we served.

“There hasn’t been many days that we didn’t serve since then—even during COVID, we served out the door.”

According to Roberts, the group had “about 10 people to start,” and Bethke said volunteer numbers currently average “eight people a week.”

“We have a good number of volunteers, but we can always use more, and we can always use donations,” she said.  “Due to Second Harvest, for the past several months, we have gotten 50 pounds of hamburger every month from D&D Meats as part of a grant and so forth.

“So that has really been helpful to us.”

Bethke said individual donations are also occasionally received.

“We are thankful for any donations or volunteers,” she said.

Roberts explained any form of help would be appreciated.

“Whatever is in their heart,” she answered when questioned about specific needs.  “To come and help, to bake something one Tuesday, whatever, because everybody just kinda needs to do what’s in their heart.”

All three volunteers emphasized Grace Free Meal is open to everyone, with no verification of need required.

“We welcome everybody,” Braun said, while Bethke echoed the same sentiment.

“Anybody is welcome,” she said of the group’s no-strings-attached policy.  “We are so happy to be able to do this.

“It is a blessing to us too.”