To the Editor:
The second winter season of Simply Suppers kicked off Jan. 12. Simply Suppers are a January-April invitation for anyone to come to the Bremen Union Church for a free home-cooked meal. The idea of Simply Suppers began as a way to reach out to those who may feel isolated during the long Maine winters or just like the idea of getting together to eat with others in the community.
We also wanted to bring a warm meal to those who cannot get out or may choose not to go out in the winter. This is a way to say “The people in this community care about you.”
Last year started off slowly but the response from those who came to the suppers or received a delivered meal was positive enough to decide to repeat it again this year. We’d like to brag at this point and say we have some mighty fine cooks at this church.
This year has been a tremendous success in terms of folks coming for the first time and enjoying it so much they became regulars and spread the word to their friends and family. Our January attendance averaged about 30 people and this increased to 50 and more for February and March.
A team of volunteers, often headed by Sally and Bill Robinson, put together 12-15 meals for home deliveries. Some folks arrive early for the supper and join right in to pack the “meals to go.” With practice, we seem to get more adept at filling the boxes with the variety of foods and getting the meals on the road before 5 p.m. We now have two delivery vehicles leaving the church in opposite directions. We also have a lot of fun while doing this.
What we have noticed in the months of attendance is the many opportunities for people meeting one another for the first time, neighbors meeting neighbors, children and babies being introduced and friendships and connections being made. There was a lot of conversation and smiles and good food.
We have just been astonished at the generosity of people, bringing extra desserts, cleaning up the tables, doing dishes or keeping an eye on the little ones who gravitate to the Sunday School rooms for the toys and child-size tables and chairs. Who could fail to notice Seamus going around politely collecting dishes and silverware from the tables and offering refreshments or desserts?
Fifty-six people attended the dinner on March 9: 16 meals were delivered and three more packed up for take-home to friends and family not feeling well enough to attend. In all, 75 people who enjoyed a meal cooked by members and friends of the Bremen Union Church.
By popular request from attendees, we now keep a big mission jug on the food table and this year our motto is “Donations toward further missions gratefully accepted but never expected!” We have also appreciated donated items from Borealis Breads, Bremen Fire Dept, and Hannaford..
We welcome anyone to join us for the last date of the Simply Supper season, April 27 to be a Pot Luck special occasion with Make Your Own Sundaes.
Donna Finneran, Sally Robinson
Bremen Church Life Committee, Bremen
