Interest in ‘Come to Supper’ meals surges after change to drive-up

FAIRFIELD — First Lutheran Church in Fairfield has seen a huge increase in the popularity of its “Come to Supper” meals since converting the meals into a drive-thru.

The church, located at 201 W. Briggs Ave., serves a free meal every Tuesday from 4-5:15 p.m. Guests need only to enter the church’s parking lot on the north side, tell a volunteer how many meals they’d like, and that’s it.

Jamie Kuiken, the lead organizer of the meals, said the church gives away about 90 meals every week, almost three times as many as it served when the meals were served inside, when attendance was about 35. In March 2020, the “Come to Supper” meals that were served in the church’s basement had to be converted into a “Drive-by Supper” because of the pandemic.

Carol Carlson, a member of the church who also volunteers with the meals, said many civic organizations, clubs and other churches provide meals throughout the year. First Lutheran Church only takes two weeks off, the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year’s, so that leaves 50 Tuesdays that have to be covered.

“We’re always looking for more groups to provide meals,” Carlson said.

Carlson said the change from in-person meals to drive-up meals not only increased participation, but it was easier for the volunteers because they had less cleaning to do.

Kuiken said there is a slight drop off in meals served during the summer.

“We’ve tried to figure out why that is,” Kuiken said. “I know the school had a program where they were handing out summer meals.”

During the hot summer months, the volunteers sit outside in the shade of a tree. On cold winter days like they’re experiencing now, they can stay warm by stepping into a heated shed just outside the church.

Carlson remarked, “We’re not sweating by any means, but it beats standing outside in the wind, which we used to do. In fact, one couple from our church did all the distribution last February because they had heated coats.”

Carlson said some people ask for multiple meals, which they share with their friends, family or neighbors. One person had been getting 25 meals per week to distribute to those who needed them.

Volunteer Chuck Hanson said the church prepares three or four boxes per week, each holding a dozen meals, in case someone shows up who needs a large number of them.

“And we don’t have too many leftovers,” Hanson said.

Kuiken said any leftover meals are taken to Logan Apartments in Fairfield.

To learn more about the Come to Supper program, contact First Lutheran Church at 641-472-4184 or email flcoffice@lisco.com.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com