Salvation Army Tri-City Corps offering a free weekly breakfast
The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps held its first Acts 2:46 Community Breakfast at the Joe K. Anderson Community Center March. Free to the public, 50 people enjoyed eggs, ham, toast and fruit cooked and served by the staff and volunteers in order to provide a hot, healthy meal to any and all without discrimination.
"We are thrilled with the turnout for our first time and already are hearing people talking about bringing others next Tuesday," says Lt. Dena Smith, who along with her husband, Lt. Scott Smith, lead the community center and church. "Most of those attending then utilized our fresh food distribution that happens on both Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m."
This fresh food distribution is in addition to the food pantry that is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with evening hours on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In addition to the free breakfast, fresh food distribution and food pantry, the Tri-City Corps also provides St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia area residents with social services such as rental, utility, prescription and other assistance.
The community center provides after-school and summer programs for children along with various programming for adults such as open walking in the gym, exercise classes, yoga, computer classes and even bingo.
As Lt. Scott says, "Our mission statement states, 'The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.' And Acts 2:46 tells of the community of early believers sharing fellowship and food with great joy. Our new weekly Community Breakfast is not only an impactful way to help others, but it also helps us to connect in new ways with the community we serve."
The Acts 2:46 Community Breakfast is scheduled for each Tuesday morning at The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Joe K. Anderson Community Center at 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles. from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. with the food pantry and fresh food distribution available immediately following. For more information, call (630) 377-2769.
In 2015, The Salvation Army celebrated its 150th worldwide anniversary and 130 years of service in Chicagoland. As one of the largest direct providers of social services in the state of Illinois, The Salvation Army operates 29 corps community centers, as well as other facilities in neighborhoods across the greater Chicago area, offering shelter, meals, child care, disaster relief, after-school programs, recreational activities, music education and more. The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps has been serving the St. Charles/Geneva/Batavia area since 1951.