John Owens' Plus 1 ministry provided food and clothes to residents around the Island section of Butler last month. Owens said Pier 12 will be at Rotary park on the third Sunday of each month.

John Owens has taken the quote “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness” to heart.

Rather than shake his head over reports of need in Butler County, the Cranberry Township resident has launched Plus 1 Ministries, a charity that hosts free meals and clothing giveaways for the less-fortunate in Butler.

His group stages a meal and a clothing distribution on the third Sunday of each month in Rotary Park at the intersection of West Cunningham and South Chestnut streets.

Plus 1 has already had four free meal events, and Owens is already planning for the next one April 15.

“At our last event we did 30 Easter dinners in a box. It has a ham, veggies, mashed potatoes and a dessert in the box,” he said.

Whoever shows up can eat and take home clothing and nonperishable food items for the future.

Owens said, “We feel called to really go down there and be an agent for good. We are not trying to get anyone to go to church.”

Information about how to donate or volunteer with Plus 1 can be found on its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Plus1Ministries or by calling 724-584-0777.

Read the full story about Plus 1 Ministry in last Thursday's Butler Eagle.