By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Members of St. Michael's Episcopal Church had a simple idea — they wanted to feed people.
Nothing fancy — just a couple of dozen spaghetti dinners are served from 6:30 to 7 p.m. every Thursday night with no questions asked.
Individuals or families — up to five people per car — can drive through the church parking lot, 2900 Canal Blvd., for a free meal, which also includes fresh fruit or vegetables, a roll and a cookie.
Any food that is not given out on Thursday nights goes into the fridge and is delivered as a noon meal to First Call for Help, a Hays agency that helps needy individuals and families.
Wyatt Morrell, Feeding Hays volunteer, said often people are waiting in line on Friday for the meals to arrive. She said she suspects transportation is an issue and some can't make it to the church on Thursday nights.
The food for the Thursday night dinners is either donated or paid for by local sponsors. A local family donates the meat from their own animals. The program is run completely by volunteers.
Donations for the meals are not required. The program will accept donations for meals, but all of those funds go to the Hays USD 489 nutrition program to pay for meals for students whose families may need help but may not qualify for free meals.
"I had heard on the radio that parents were going to have to pay for meals again this year, and I thought how awful that must be for two years not to have to come up with meals and then have to again," Morrell said.
"I brought it up to my pastor and said this is what I want to do is feed a free meal every Thursday and ask for donations and those donations go to student lunches."
The program has been up and running since October. The program has donated more than $300 to the USD 489 school lunch program.
"Our goal is that parents shouldn't have to worry too much about money for food for their kids," they said.
Morrell said the program has served all types of people, including elderly individuals who would not otherwise have a hot meal and people who were short on cash at the end of a pay period.
"The cutest response was from a guy who saw the signs and came in and asked if it was real," Morrell said. "He did a little dance in the parking lot.
"We've had other people who have come and given us their last dollar. If that's the case, we always try to get them to keep that money. They're just so grateful. We've had other people who came and said 'I'm just so glad I don't have to cook tonight.'"
The volunteer crew is small — five to seven people per night — but the meal is so simple it only takes them about an hour and a half to prep and distribute the meals.
Morrell said the biggest challenge has been getting the word out to the community.
Businesses, individuals or organizations that are interested in sponsoring meals or donating food can do so by emailing Morrell at [email protected] or contact St. Michael's Episcopal Church at 785-628-8442.
You can also follow the program through Facebook. If the weather is inclement, meals will not be served. Check Facebook for updates.