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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Every Monday night for the past six years at the United Church of Walpole, a free meal is offered to members of the community. The event is titled Breaking Bread, sponsored by the Walpole Families of Faith. This past Monday, the kitchen bustled with a host of volunteers, including members of the congregation and a local Boy Scout troop. Plate after plate of food moved from the kitchen to the diners, piled high with cornbread, salad, rice, and other comfort foods.
Each week, a different group comes to volunteer. This week it was the Boy Scouts, but in the past the Girl Scouts have helped out, high school students applying to the National Honor Society have stepped in, and other churches in the area also have made appearances.
“There’s a head chef who’s in charge of the kitchen, Barb. She’s been our chef for six years and she’s still smiling!” Diane Culhane, a member of the congregation and coordinator for this evening tells me about her experience with Breaking Bread over the past four or five years.
“The elderly come every week. They’re here every single week, and a lot of times they come for the social aspect. It is for the free meal, but for a lot of them it’s the only time they get out on Mondays. Sometimes, they get dressed up, and it’s so cute. I swear that table knows everything that’s going on in Walpole,” Culhane said.
They plan for 50 diners each week. On that particular Monday, 38 had come out to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Culhane added, “This is a good turnout. One time, they invited a veterans group, so that was a big turn-out. The Walpole senior group Senior Moments comes every month or so and they sing, so that’s a big group as well.”
The Walpole Families of Faith believe no one should go hungry. All people are welcome at the table to enjoy food and fellowship, regardless of faith.
“It’s great. A lot of times families come to volunteer, and it’s a great way for the kids to give back to the community,” said Culhane. Breaking Bread is held every Monday after September 27.
