Fox Valley Presbyterian has served 20,352 meals at community dinners

Fox Valley Presbyterian Church is celebrating 20,352 - that's not a year or a typo. 20,352 is the number of meals served during the Third Friday Free Community Dinners at the Geneva church.

Since 2010, dedicated chefs, kitchen crew, dining room and cleanup volunteers have provided well-prepared dinners and hospitality for more than 200 guests each month.

Some get a meal to take home, but most choose to dine in and enjoy the community atmosphere of the dining room. Many families and groups of friends attend every month. Continuing relationships have developed over the last 7 years.

"Part of what we do is to provide a welcoming atmosphere: china and silver, white cloth tablecloths, floral centerpieces. Also, many months include live music or other entertainment, such as a balloon artist," said Linda Williams, dinner committee chairwoman.

For the first year, one chef, Craig Copper, was in charge every month. Now, four chefs work on a rotating basis. Planning, preparing, serving and clean up require a large commitment from about 70 church members.

According to the new head pastor, Rev. Stephanie Anthony, "The Third Friday Community Dinners are a stellar way we live out our call to 'exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.' All are welcome. All are fed. In a way it's an extension of the communion meal we share in worship; all are guests at God's table."

The next Third Friday Free Community Dinner will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 16, at the church, 227 East Side Drive. The meal will feature a Filipino-inspired menu with pork and chicken skewers, fried rice, pineapple spears and dessert.

To learn more, visit www.foxvalleypres.org or www.facebook.com/foxvalleypres/.