Community Meal Ministries serves 1,200 meals in 1 hour on Christmas
Community Meal Ministries served 1,200 meals in one hour to community members on Christmas out of Butler Global Church’s kitchen, and they still had another hour to go.
More than 200 volunteers spent part of their Christmas morning preparing and handing out meals from 10 a.m. to noon at the church or delivering meals around the county.
Ray Christy, president of Community Meal Ministries and kitchen coordinator for Butler Global Church, said it was probably the fastest service he’d ever completed in his more than 30 years in the catering business. He and his wife, Chance, led the team of volunteers.
“If something were to happen to me tomorrow, someone else would step right in,” Christy said, explaining the efficiency of the system set up to complete service.
Christy referenced Matthew, Chapter 14, in the Bible for its parable of Jesus multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people to explain how the community meals resources have multiplied along with the need.
“My job is to bring this. God’s job is to multiply — and he did that massively,” Christy said.
On Christmas, Christy had 350 pounds of ham, 350 dozen cookies and 200 pies to serve, all donated from the community. Last Christmas, Community Meal Ministries served about 720 meals in two hours.
Many volunteers found community with each other, regardless of what church they are affiliated with and despite being away from their families on Christmas.
Robert Kummer, who usually volunteers Friday nights serving community meals, said he got involved when a neighbor asked him to help at the church — and he hasn’t stopped in the three years since.
He spent his Christmas morning at the church, since his son lives in New Hampshire, he said.
“It’s such gratification … It could be me that needs (help),” he said.
Jeanie Springer started volunteering to serve on Christmas two years ago after her husband passed away, and she plans to return each year for as long as she can.
“It’s just so rewarding, you don’t even know,” she said.
Even some in less fortunate situations volunteered to serve.
Michael, who declined to provide his last name because he’s currently unhoused, said he accepted a Community Meal Ministries dinner on Thanksgiving and wanted to give back. He was excited to go see his 3-year-old granddaughter and 27-year-old daughter afterward.
“The Lord has given me a good path,” he said.
Molly Nowakowski, a representative of The Corey Comperatore Foundation, stood outside Butler Global Church during service directing people and giving toys to children.
She said she encountered one family who was picking up meals to take to a grandparent’s house and they took one of the foundation’s gift bags because they did not have a gift for the 7-year-old at the home.
After service, drivers took the leftovers to local truck stops to give to truckers who couldn’t be with their families.
Christy also thanked organizations that donated food and supplies, including Chili’s Grill & Bar, which donated queso for the cheese potatoes; Marburger Farm Dairy, which donated 1,600 cartons of milk; the Rotary Club of Butler and The Corey Comperatore Foundation, which each donated hams; the Butler County Humane Society, which donated emergency pet bags; and Clark’s Donuts.
