Reflections: Meals do more than feed

Ed Hungness

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Hungness

September 18, 2011

By Ed Hungness, Local columnist ---- The Record Eagle Tue Mar 13, 2012, 10:57 AM EDT

All too often, we pick up the newspaper, turn on the TV or dial in our favorite radio station and are greeted with bad news. High unemployment, corruption, a plane crash, street crime, terrorism, war, the market crashes and missing children are just a few.

It's enough to wear you out.

I believe there is good news out there, and maybe we should spend more time seeking it out rather than constantly dwelling on the negative.

In past columns, I have written about people who give their time and resources freely in an effort to make a difference. Most of these unsung heroes step up to the plate willingly to help friends or neighbors in need. They do it not expecting any pats on the back or public acknowledgement. They expect nothing in return other than the satisfaction received from helping another human being.

A few years ago the Fife Lake food pantry was approached by a local business owner, Gordy Smith, the owner of Gordy's Place in downtown Fife Lake. Smith wanted to give back to the community. Gordy's Place is a well-established northwoods bar and grill, with friendly people serving good food and cold beer.

Smith and his family had a new idea. Rather than making a donation to our limited inventory of food, they offered to cater a meal for up to 100 people. What made the idea so intriguing was that he was planning to do it once a month for a year. The dinner was to be held in the basement of the Fife Lake United Methodist Church on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

The restaurant would provide, prepare, deliver and help serve the monthly meal to anyone from the community who wanted to attend. The ladies of the church joined in, and volunteered to furnish desserts and an occasional platter of appetizers. Another local church provided disposable plates, coffee cups and plasticware. People started getting involved.

Originally the project was thought of as a way of feeding those in need. Now it has opened up to other community members who want to attend. The first Fife Lake Community Meal suffered in attendance. Word hadn't gotten around. Announcements were made in local churches and invitations given to food pantry clients. By the time the next scheduled meal took place, there was a definite improvement in participation.

An interesting trend began to develop. Not only did families in need begin to attend but also seniors who struggled to make it through another month on their Social Security checks. Others attended not just for the food but to socialize with friends and neighbors. Within the first six months the community meal became a community event.

Those who have attended are able to better understand some of the problems and opportunities that are present in small communities. People who were hungry had an opportunity to enjoy a good meal in a warm and friendly environment. People who were not in need became more aware of the challenges facing so many. It was a win-win situation for all.

The program has now completed 1 1/2 years of successful monthly meals. The gratitude of the little Village of Fife Lake goes out to Gordy's Place for conceiving the idea and following through with the plan. Perhaps other areas that don't offer such a program might want to begin something similar. We can all make a difference right where we are.

Ed Hungness and his wife became full-time residents of Fife Lake in 2005 after Ed's retirement. He can be reached at edhungness@yahoo.com or by mail at P.O. Box 57, Fife Lake, MI 49633.