The Center of Hope in Ravenna and Kent Social Services host hundreds of communal meals every year for anyone who walks through their doors. They remain a cornerstone of their communities for their kindhearted approach to food insecurity, yet the meals they prepare tell only half of their story. To many, these congregate meal sites spark lasting memories, longtime friends, and moments of togetherness between neighbors.

More Than a Meal

“We may be the only people who can say ‘hi’ and give them a smile during the day because they don’t have family, or they live on the streets,” states Center of Hope volunteer Margaret Courtney. She continues, sharing how simple greetings comfort more than just the visitors, “I really think there’s times where I come in, and I’m doom and gloom […] and all they have to do is smile and say ‘Hi, glad to see you.’ I really feel that they give more to me than I give them.”

A communal lunch means the chance for anyone to sit down and connect with their fellow neighbors, whether it’s volunteers, family members, university professors, students, people who need the meals, or people who love to talk. Longtime Kent Social Services volunteer Annette Dowling remarks on this sense of community, claiming “It’s wonderful. It is family. I think everybody in [the dining hall] right now, and everyone who volunteers here right now has that sense of family.”

A Community Christmas

Illustrating the spirit of togetherness, Annette shared one of her favorite stories as a volunteer:

“There was a time when we were in between kitchen directors, so there were people filling in, and we weren’t very good at getting the meal out at exactly 11:30. This was the last regular lunch before Christmas, and we were late because it was going to be a Christmas spread, and you know, that’s a lot of dishes to get out on time. The group of people were all seated, they’re waiting, they’re getting impatient, they’re complaining, and there was one elderly gentleman who was 96 at the time. He pulls out a harmonica from his front pocket, and he plays Silent Night on it. The whole place got quiet and happy. It was a beautiful experience.”

Moments like this are experienced time and time again because community care means more than solving a singular issue; it’s about building a network of care and support for everyone involved, and the people at the Center of Hope and Kent Social Services understand that very well. Both programs serve hot meals every weekday, and keep their pantries stocked for low-income households who qualify for assisted groceries.

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If you want to support these programs, they are always accepting donations and volunteers, and be sure to ask them if you’re unsure how to give. Online donations can be made here and here for the Center of Hope and Kent Social Services respectively.

If you have any stories or thoughts about any program under the Family & Community Services umbrella, consider sharing them here.