Oxford United Methodist Church is celebrating its 175th anniversary by offering the community a little relief in today’s troubled economy.
A new program called ‘Free Meals at OUMC? will debut July 15 with free dinners every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
‘Anyone can come,? said Coordinator Colleen Richter. ‘There are a lot of families struggling to make the mortgage payment, paying for medical and making the choice which one to pay. Hopefully this will help them out with their grocery bill for the week.?
The free meals are not limited to just families. Anyone who feels the need for a free meal can have one.
‘Even older residents that would like some companionship for one meal a week,? Richter added.
Oxford businesses ? Meijer, Red Knapp’s American Grill and Italia Gardens ? are providing donations for the program and Papa Romano’s, of Troy, will be assisting with one meal a month.
Sweet and Savory Bake Shop in Oxford and Rebecca’s Bakery in Lapeer will be donating tasty treats one Wednesday a month.
‘The local businesses have been really helpful and have been very enthusiastic about giving donations,? said Richter.
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion has partnered with OUMC and is providing a team of volunteers and one meal a month.
‘From a volunteer prospective and donor prospective, there has been a lot of enthusiasm. We are hoping we can continue to run the program as long as it is needed in the community,? said Richter.
OUMC started working on the program when they noticed the closest locations to receive a free meal were Lapeer and Pontiac.
‘We felt Oxford and Lake Orion didn’t have much of a free meal program,? said Richter. ‘If you are in a need of a free meal you probably don’t want to drive a long distance, with gas prices, just to get it. Hopefully this will help fill the gap.?
OUMC talked to a pastor from one of the Lapeer churches about the program they had.
She noted Lapeer currently has five churches each providing a different meal on a different night, five days a week.
Other local churches are considering doing a similar program.
Seymour Lake United Methodist Church, Christ the King Church and Lake Orion United Methodist Church are thinking about covering three different nights a week.
‘Hopefully, that will really help with the grocery bill,? said Richter.
OUMC will post a sign in front of the church to let people know what’s on the menu a week prior to the dinner.
The sign is there not only to wet appetites, but in case anyone has allergy concerns, they can call OUMC to find out if a specific ingredient will be in the entree or dessert.
OUMC plans to continue the program as long as there is a need for it and as long as they receive enough funding.
All proceeds from OUMC’s concession stand in the church parking
lot during the Cruise-In Downtown Oxford event on Tuesday nights benefit the Free Meals program.
Richter noted all proceeds from the ice cream social held on OUMC’s front lawn during Celebrate Oxford in August will go toward the program as well.
For more information or to donate please visit www.oumc.us or contact OUMC at (248)-628-1289.