New Northfield meal program brings more than food to table

Volunteers are coming together to provide a meal for people in need and hope to do some community building at the same time.

By TOM MORAN, Star Tribune

Last update: March 18, 2008 - 11:56 PM

When volunteers in Northfield start serving free dinners next month, they will be serving much more than a hot meal to those in need.

The premise of the program -- called Thursday's Table -- is to build relationships among residents over a meal.

"Minnesotans flourish in that potluck atmosphere," said Jim Blaha, executive director of the Northfield Community Action Center, who hopes that volunteers will bring their friends and family to dinner to promote diversity.

"Once you've given yourself in service and sat down to eat, you've kind of cracked the nut and opened yourself up to having more of a relationship," he said.

Volunteers will serve the first meal at the Northfield Community Resource Center on April 3. The meals will be served every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The idea for the dinner came about when David Koenig, 45, realized there were resources for Northfield residents in need but no meal program for all struggling community members.

He said he recognized the need for community assistance while volunteering at a local food shelf and learning that many Northfield residents qualify for food assistance. He has been working on the project, along with Don Sahling and others, for about the past six months.

"There was an apparent underclass who was not being served," said Sahling, 69.

Blaha said 836 families, numbering more than 3,000 people, in Northfield qualify for food assistance. And with the recent rise in the cost of goods coupled with economic troubles, the food shelf -- operated by the Community Action Center -- saw its highest growth ever in February.

With 386 families, about 1,100 people, now using the food shelf, Blaha said "it makes imminent sense in these hard economic times" to start a meal program.

He said many in the target population, households earning less than $42,000 per year, expressed interest. Sahling said more than 400 families were surveyed about the idea of Thursday's Table and about 130 said they would participate, with 45 more reacting favorably.

Many of the families are still living from paycheck to paycheck, despite receiving income from two jobs, Blaha said.

Organizers believe the meals can serve as a community builder. With a diverse turnout, he said, the meal service wouldn't stigmatize people who need assistance.

With the school district, churches, businesses, universities and others helping out, more than just the meal will be available during Thursday's Table.

Participants can expect to see a food shelf and clothing closet, English classes, and information about early education. Jennifer Koenig, associate pastor at St. Olaf, said students might be on hand to offer interpretation services and look after children during and after dinner so parents can relax and converse.

"One thing about Northfield is that this is an incredibly generous town," Koenig said. "I can't think of a single time when we've asked for help and gotten anything besides an enthusiastic yes."

Even with the outpouring of support, David Koenig said the most trying challenge has been recruiting enough volunteers to make the program sustainable. He said about 1,000 volunteer shifts would be needed for the year.

Tom Moran is a student reporter at the University of Minnesota on assignment with the Star Tribune.