PINEDALE — Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the big Liberty-style church bell rings at noon atop the steeple of the Pinedale Community Church. Similar to spokes in a wagon wheel, kids and a few adults stream from all directions toward the center, which is the church entrance to a free lunch. Through the collective efforts of volunteers from the Pinedale Community Church, Church of the Resurrection, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and St. Andrew’s in the Pines Episcopal Church, free home-cooked meals are offered up every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 12:45 p.m. at 113 S. Maybelle Ave. in Pinedale.

On this day, about 30 souls are served a hot lunch. Attendees grab their own plate and load up.
When asked how the food was, one diner gave me a wink and said, “Better than Mom’s.”

A trio of young children took their plates to the cleanup table and sweetly thanked the serving ladies for their delicious lunch.

Jono Majhanovich is the new pastor of Pinedale Community Church. The lunch program runs through the third week of August, which is close to the first day of the new school year.

To volunteer or for more information, contact Michelle Overgaag at 307-749-6641, Julie Konicek at 307-231-4795, Melinda Bobo at 307-690-4889 or Sarah Murdock at 307-231-2431.