It was something they never thought would happen to them.

Curt and Pam Weichey thought they were set.

After selling their successful business they planned to sit back and relax.

But God, it seems, had other plans for them.

Now the pair have found new purpose in helping feed city residents, both physically and spiritually.

“God had a plan,” said Pam Weichey. “We follow in his guidance for our lives.”

The Butler couple opened the Light of Life Community Outreach in September 2014.

Located at 232 W. North St., the outreach effort is based in a house owned by the North Street Christian Church.

“We are here to glorify God, share our Gospel and love of Jesus Christ, to be a friend to many in need of a smile, an encouraging word, to let people know there is hope and that Jesus cares for them and loves them,” Curt Weichey said.

The Weicheys have been involved in street ministry for many years. Going alone, or with people from their group or other groups, the pair strolled Main Street to say hello or just talk. It was on these visits that the Weicheys noticed a need.

“You see how people are struggling,” Curt Weichey said.

The idea came to them a little more than two years ago.

“We lost some sleep because the feeling was strong — this needs to happen,” said Pam Weichey.

After only days, the couple approached their church. When they outlined their plan to Pastor Bob Huber, he said, “When do you want to start?” Curt Weichey recalled.

Huber said when he heard the Weicheys' plan it felt “like the Lord was leading us.”

“It was confirmation that it was something the Lord wanted us to do,” Huber said.

Within two weeks Light of Life Community Outreach opened.

At first it was just coffee and tea served. Two weeks later, the outreach began serving meals.

It is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a worship service at 6 p.m. each Sunday.

Days start early at the outreach. Volunteers begin preparing at 8 a.m. The outreach opens to the public at 11 a.m. with coffee and snacks.

Various speakers and pastors give a 30-minute Bible message, and volunteers begin serving lunch at noon.

The outreach draws about 100 people each day, from young, old, homeless, unemployed and people with addictions, Curt Weichey said.

Eric Cranmer has been helping at the outreach for 18 months. A member of the North Street Christian Church, Cranmer stopped in the church office one day and another church member urged him to drop by the outreach.

Although Cranmer has a full-time job, he tries to volunteer at the outreach a couple of times a week.

“It's a real great outreach program,” he said. “The need in the community is really there. There are a lot of people struggling to get by, whether monetarily or food-wise.”

The meals are provided by churches, community groups and businesses. Already prepared when they arrive at the West North Street house, the meals are hot and filling: spaghetti, sloppy joes, hot dogs and soup.

The Weicheys are amazed at the response and help the outreach has gotten from churches in and around Butler.

Curt Weichey estimates at least a dozen churches are helping out in some way, from running the outreach two days a week, to food and supply donations to pastors offering to lead the daily or Sunday Bible messages.

Huber credits the Weicheys.

“A lot of it is from Curt and Pam's effort because they got the word out and prayed every step of the way,” he said.

Pam Weichey said somehow the outreach always gets what it needs.

She recalled a day when they were serving soup or chili and there were only two loaves of bread on hand.

“I thought, 'That's not going to be enough,'” Pam Weichey recalled.

When she went to open the doors for the day, she met some resistance, something was blocking thedoor from opening fully. In front of the door was a bag containing dozens of rolls that had been left anonymously.

“That astonished me,” she said. “Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. I was like, 'Thank you Lord.'”

WHAT: Light of Life Community OutreachWHERE: 232 W. North St.WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday with a worship service at 6 p.m. each Sunday.Various speakers and pastors give a 30-minute Bible message and volunteers begin serving lunch at noon.Anyone interested in providing donations to the outreach or getting involved in its mission can call the Weicheys at 724 -355-7124.