Community Assets: Thankful Hearts serves food and friendship twice a month
Started in 2008 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church as a four-month trial, the free community meal is open to anyone.
Thankful Hearts began Sept. 30, 2008, as a four-month trial: a free hot meal for anyone in Bellevue who wanted one, regardless of income. More than three years later it is still going, and organizers say it has become a gathering of friends as much as a meal.
The idea came from Jane Bailey, who with Carol Schubert asked LeRose Meadows whether her church, St. Paul’s Episcopal, would host. All three remain involved. Last September the program added a second meal each month.
The meals are nondenominational and open to people in need, people who are lonely and anyone who would like a warm dinner with company. Volunteer families and groups take turns cooking and serving. Thankful Hearts joins other local efforts, including the emergency food pantry, the free clothing closet, back-to-school and winter clothing drives and the Christmas Giving Tree.
Food banks serving the area are listed by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. More Community Assets: the Giving Tree and Lisa Foos. More in Community.