C'mon over for supper at Geneva church tonight

No time to make supper today? Looking to stretch a lean grocery budget? Want to get to know some neighbors?

Whatever your reason, you're invited to the inaugural "Third Tuesday Supper" from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton St.

The event is free and there is no need to sign up in advance.

"This is the kind of thing churches need to do" to help people during trying economic times, church member and dinner volunteer Beth Kucera said. "A group of us just said 'This is something we have to do.'"

The meals also may offer a break to people with busy schedules, Kucera added.

Organizers plan hold the event monthly through the spring. The menu will change - tonight's meal includes a chicken-broccoli bake, mashed potatoes, tossed salad, cookies and brownies - but hot dogs and chips also will be available each time.

There's no pressure on a shy guest to stay and eat with strangers.

"That's why we did the carryout," Kucera said.

Nor will there be any praying or overt evangelizing. Guests are free to blend in with the rest of the crowd that normally is at church on Tuesday night for choir practices, education and other activities.

Kucera hopes other churches will join the effort, picking another night of the month. A St. Charles church has been doing spaghetti suppers one Sunday a month, she said.

The meal is in the second-floor dining hall. For more information, visit ThirdTuesdaySuppers.com, sign up for Twitter alerts at twitter.com/thirdtuesdays, or call the church office at (630) 232-7120.