WAYNESBORO, Pa. — “We’re blessed to be a blessing,” said Kinte Snead, chef of The Lunch Place of Waynesboro at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the program’s new home Oct. 19.
“It’s finally happening,” added Denise Esser, president of the board of directors of The Lunch Place, which offers free, hot lunches that will now be served in the organization’s new home at 42 W. Second St. in the former Knights of Columbus building. The Lunch Place was formerly located just a block away in Faith of Christ United Methodist Church.
“It took much longer than we expected since purchasing the building in February – to get a company to do the renovation and to get the appliances we ordered,” added Esser. “We’re happy how it all turned out, and once patrons come in, I’m sure they will be very excited as well. This is a nice new place to serve them.”
After being open a month, The Lunch Place expects to extend its weekday hours from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Esser said. “We need more volunteers to help us to reach our eventual goal of being open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” she added.
The “Christian organization that serves all of God’s people,” has been committed to fighting hunger in Waynesboro for 36 years, serving more than 350,000 meals, Esser noted. It was formed when two local organizations, Waynesboro Fellowship of Churches and Waynesboro Area Human Services Council (now Waynesboro Community and Human Services – WCHS) saw a growing need of hunger in the community.
In addition to volunteers, The Lunch Place relies on monetary and food donations – fresh or canned fruit and vegetables, meats and paper products are accepted.
Donations can be made in person or mailed to The Lunch Place, P.O. Box 43, Waynesboro PA 17268.
For more information or to volunteer, readers may call 717-762-7042 or visit thelunchplace.org.
