Magic can happen over a quality meal with friends.
For more than a decade, free community lunches were held weekly, hosted on a rotating basis by local churches. The tradition was discontinued during the coronavirus, and Hilary Canty kept hearing how many islanders missed it.
She decided to take action and approached the Orcas Community Church and the Orcas Community Resource Center about restarting the program. Since January, volunteers have cooked and hosted an open luncheon on Tuesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Community Church basement.
Diners from all corners of the island attend — from seniors to construction crews to office workers in town. A total of 80 participants came to the Mexican feast on Feb. 24.
For some, it is their one warm meal of the week. For others, it means not eating alone. It also provides an opportunity to build connections.
“This is not a charity lunch but a community lunch,” Canty said. “It’s amazing to me how many people want to help, and how many people want a warm meal in the company of fellow islanders. This is for seniors, those who live alone — it’s for anyone who wants to be part of a community.”
The food is cooked and served by volunteers. In the past, churches, nonprofits and other service organizations signed up and prepared meals as a team-building experience. Canty is hoping that will happen again. Individuals are also welcome.
Con’s Pitstop has also been donating food, Orcas Bakery has been contributing bread each week and Orcas Community Church will continue to provide the space and plenty of coffee. To sign up to volunteer or see upcoming menus, visit www.orcascrc.org and click on “Food Access Programs.”
“These lunches are truly offered by the community for our community. It’s a friendly place to see familiar neighbors and meet new ones. Tuesdays are our very favorite day of the week,” said Liberté Pedicini and Allen Hartle, who have attended as well as prepared dishes for the gatherings.
Senior lunches
The Orcas Senior Center, Whatcom Council on Aging and San Juan County Senior Services work together to facilitate and support the “Meals on Wheels and More” program at Orcas Senior Center, which includes Senior Lunch and home-delivered meals.
OSC hosts a lunch for just $5 to $10 for those wanting a hot lunch more than one day a week. They are served in-person from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Lundeen Room at Orcas Senior Center. No reservations are needed. Diners enjoy delicious and healthy meals, engaging conversation, live music by Ron Myers and art exhibits by the Orcas Senior Center Visual Arts Committee.
There is a suggested donation of $5 per meal for guests aged 60 and older (suggested donation for spouses/partners, disabled dependents and unpaid caregivers of guests aged 60 and older is also $5 per meal). The cost for guests under 60 is $10 per meal.
Home-delivered meals are dropped off by a dedicated team of volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to those in need. To learn more, contact Steven Ziegler, San Juan County senior services specialist, at 360-370-7525 or stevenz@sanjuancountywa.gov.
