THE LUNCH PLACE: SERVING NUTRITIOUS MEALS WITH COMPASSION FOR 35 YEARS
By Robb Helfrick
For 35 years, people in need, the lonely, and others seeking fellowship have received free and nutritious meals at the Lunch Place. With a spirit of compassion and tireless devotion, this charitable organization fosters unity and kindness in the Waynesboro area.
The Lunch Place originated in 1990 through a collaboration of the Waynesboro Area Human Services Council Board and the Waynesboro Area Fellowship of Churches.
Their goal was to provide a safe and welcoming environment where people could receive not only sustenance but an uplifting human connection. After serving more than 340,000 meals during the past four decades, the organization has achieved its objective and much more.
The Lunch Place occupies Wolf Fellowship Hall at the Christ United Methodist Church at 100 S. Church Street in Waynesboro. While the church is not directly linked to the organization, it kindly allows the Lunch Place to share a space in its building, with the entrance located on the E. Second Street side.
These meals are backed by Christian values, but the Lunch Place welcomes all people regardless of religion, sex, race, disability, or age.
Kinte Snead is the head chef at the Lunch Place. He began cooking here after working at Mount St. Mary’s College. While in Emmitsburg, Snead connected with the priests there and experienced a spiritual awakening. “I’m a firm believer in God’s word,” he said, “I want to be a blessing.”
Kindness radiates from Snead’s demeanor. He came to the Lunch Place in 2019 and immediately dealt with a daunting work obstacle. Snead had to find creative ways to serve meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We always have the ability to find the right path,” he said, recounting those trying times, when lunches were served to go.
Snead maintains both consistency and variety in his menus. He utilizes fresh foods (he visits a local farm once a week) and also juggles donations from area grocery stores, such as Martins and Sav-A-Lot. Snead also buys food items with donated funds.
The chef’s joy in his work is evident as Snead cooks healthy food in the commercial kitchen. However, as he sautés vegetables or artfully arranges a chicken meal on a plate, he recognizes a higher purpose is embedded his duties. “We serve more than food here,” Snead said.
To feed 30 to 40 people a day, the Lunch Place relies on a group of dedicated volunteers. Susie Keithley and Brenda Smith have helped prepare and serve meals for 17 and 16 years, respectively, and many others have volunteered over the years.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” Snead said, noting that he’s constantly amazed at the work ethic of the unpaid workers who cheerfully show up for their shifts each week.
A simple Lunch Place philosophy applies to anyone who dines there: Take all you want and eat all you take. Snead works diligently to ensure that hot meals include nutritious food that pleases both stomach and soul, while served in a clean and casual environment.
The Lunch Place caters to families with children, older singles who live alone, and anyone who seeks fellowship. Often, these families and individuals may not qualify for assistance programs, so the Lunch Place is a vital resource.
Lunch is served weekdays from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and the Lunch Place closes only when inclement weather forces local school closures.
Despite having such a caring staff, the Lunch Place needs public support to continue its mission. While the organization cannot accept home-cooked food, it appreciates monetary donations (which can be made on its website: thelunchplace.org), and it is always looking for kind volunteers.
Witnessing the camaraderie of the kind people here, and the impact their efforts provide to the needy in Waynesboro, The Lunch Place fulfills its ambitious daily mission with generosity and compassion.
For more information about the Lunch Place, visit the website, call 717-762-7042, or email: [email protected].
