As federal lawmakers remain locked in negotiations over stalled FoodShare and nutrition assistance benefits, one Door County church is quietly stepping in to help fill the gap. “Dinner with Friends,” a monthly community meal hosted by a local congregation, returns on Saturday, November 8, offering hot food, fellowship, and a sense of stability during an increasingly uncertain time for many families.
The free dinner, open to all, runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bayview Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay and will offer chicken Parmesan, baked apples, carrot sticks, and cookies this round. Delivery is available from 4 to 5 p.m. (notice is required), with dine-in service offered from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Carry-out is also an option. Organizers ask those needing delivery to call or text 920-256-5704, 1 week prior to reserve meals and provide their name, number of meals needed, and address.
While the event has long been a staple of the community, typically held monthly except for the summer break in June, July, and August, organizers say the need feels especially urgent this fall. With the federal government still stalled on approving extensions for key food-assistance programs, area families and seniors have reported growing anxiety about rising grocery costs and shrinking benefits. According to county officials, FoodShare delays tend to hit rural areas hardest, where wages are seasonal, transportation is limited, and food prices are often higher than in larger cities.
That’s where events like “Dinner with Friends” become more than just a social gathering. For some residents, it is a much-needed bridge between paychecks, an accessible meal for seniors on fixed incomes, or simply a chance to stretch household budgets while waiting for benefits to resume.
The event is staff is all volunteers from inside and outside of the congregation, even the delivery drivers. Organizers say donations are paramount to help sustain future meals, but no one is ever turned away.
For more information, visit the Bayview Lutheran Church Facebook Page
