BEMIDJI 鈥� Members of the Bemidji Community Table's board of directors gathered on Tuesday evening to prepare for the holiday season by filling holiday bags.
The 90 bags, filled with food items like chips, juice and treats all donated to or provided by the BCT were served alongside hot meals, providing food insecure residents with something extra to eat during the holiday season as the BCT prepares to close up operations between Monday, Dec. 23, and Thursday, Jan. 2, for the holidays.
ADVERTISEMENT
The BCT typically operates between Monday and Thursday each week serving around 100 hot meals through volunteer work. However, they needed to shut down operations during the holidays to provide their chefs a break as filling volunteer shifts has been challenging.
Sarah Linda, BCT treasurer, feels that the BCT can avoid long closures like this in the future if they receive more volunteer help, especially help with cooking as the current cooks need a break every once in a while.
That is why the BCT is asking the community for help filling these shifts, especially cooking, cleaning and serving shifts which are typically from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church on Monday and Tuesday and United Methodist Church on Wednesday and Thursday.
鈥淚 know there's people out there that have the desire to serve community," Linda said. "(This) is a great opportunity, whether it's cooking or cleaning or anything.鈥�
Jane Killgore, a member of the BCT board of directors, noted the benefits of serving as a volunteer.
鈥淵ou get to interact with the guests, which is really nice," she said. "This is technically a community table, so you could come after work."
Hot food is served between 5 to 6 p.m. and is free for anyone. Some meal options include baked chicken, casserole, pasta and salad with sides ranging from potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, fruit, vegetables, lemonade and coffee.
ADVERTISEMENT
Those who cannot physically attend can send someone to bring them a meal, no questions asked.
"I would say more food insecure people use it," Killgore said. "We don't collect information, demographic information (or) income information. If you show up (and) you want to eat with us, then you eat with us.鈥�
Those who would like to volunteer can sign up by visiting the at communitytablebemidji.org and clicking the volunteer button on the home page. The next opportunity to volunteer for the BCT is Monday, Jan. 6, following its holiday closure.
Additionally, those who would like to contribute but cannot attend a volunteer shift can donate via the website by navigating to the donate button on the top right-hand corner.
The Trust Project
