“On Sunday night, a hubbub of food, fellowship and friendship formed in the fellowship hall at the First Presbyterian Church in Akron. The tired and mangled faces of 100 hungry individuals showed up to relax in the warmth of the church and enjoy a well-cooked meal.”
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On Sunday night, a hubbub of food, fellowship and friendship formed in the fellowship hall at the First Presbyterian Church in Akron.

The tired and mangled faces of 100 hungry individuals showed up to relax in the warmth of the church and enjoy a well-cooked meal.

Members of the church provided the food and members of the University of Akron women’s basketball team served it.

Jessica Sewell, a University of Akron student, met Rachel Green in class. Sewell, who helped organize the event, said it was important to feed the hungry, because when you feed the hungry you also feed Jesus.

We want them to know at least there’s someone out there who loves you and cares for you, she said.

Green, a junior forward on the basketball team, coordinated the event with Sewell to give the team a chance to give back to the community.

I didn’t know what to expect, Green said. When someone tells you what to expect, you don’t really get it. It’s a much different feeling when you come and experience it for yourself.

Green said the experience led her to appreciate what she has and she encouraged other UA students to look into volunteer work.

Ask any church if you want to go out involved, Green said. People are so busy, they don’t get a chance to see the opportunities.

I think that doing this is good for anyone. It doesn’t have to be a team; it can be just anyone. It can change your life.

Director of Community Ministry of First Presbyterian Church Rita Vincey said they started the program about four years ago, just to serve to the community. As a member of the church for 50 years and a volunteer for 30, Vincey originally conceived the idea, which is now hosted three Sundays a month.

The Bible says to serve the hungry, so that’s what we are doing, Vincey said. We’re letting them know we’re here.

Vincey said it costs around $100 to do everything. Some of the food comes from the food bank, but the church buys the majority of it.

First Presbyterian Church receives between 80 and 120 people every night they carry out the free meal.

The only problems we have are when kids try to come in without their parents, Vincey said. They’re from poor communities.

Vincey explained that most of the beneficiaries are not homeless but are poor people who come just to be part of the community.

We get a lot of regulars here, volunteer Pat Franklin said. A lot of them have low-paying jobs, if any jobs. Some of them are back and forth from food banks and the Haven of Rest.

Franklin said they strive to make their guest feel at home by using nice tablecloths and a silver setting in the dining hall.

We want to make them feel like our guests, he said. We want to be environmentally responsible as well.

You wouldn’t serve guests in your home on paper and neither do we.

Franklin also commented on the standard of the food. It may not be fancy food, but it is good food, she said. The volunteers give them take-out containers at the end of the meal to give them the rest of the food.

The best part, Franklin said, is the response from the people.

Most everybody is courteous and appreciative, she said.

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” #1.1361682:3840632312.png:20071016girls.png:Zips basketball players serve Akron’s hungry Sunday.:Wes Boettner”