Orrville nonprofit providing meals and smiles
Beth Haislip, left, and Katie LeMasters are part of Friendship Meals, a nonprofit in Orrville that offers free meals twice a month at 201 N. Main St.
Friendship Meals Inc., a nonprofit based in Orrville, provides free homemade meals to the community every second and fifth Thursday. Service starts at 5:15 p.m., although many line up earlier, at 201 N. Main St.
The group’s mission statement is to provide a compassionate response to community hunger.
“Friendship Meals is about helping people in a small but meaningful way,” said Beth Haislip, who is not only the future president and director of operations of the board, but also the head cook. “For some we just provide a hot meal. For others we are a community touch point where they ask for support or connection to other local agencies. For some we help build family connections because grandparents are delivering food to their grandchildren or people are taking food to elderly parents or neighbors.”
Founded in 1993, Friendship Meals sprung from a group of citizens who saw a need for hunger relief and community building. Prior to the pandemic, the meal was sit-down.
“During the pandemic we went car-side and started serving a greater population of our community including families with children, a demographic we had strived to reach,” said Katie LeMasters, current president of the board. “Once we realized what an impact we could make going car-side, we never looked back.”
There are no requirements for those picking up meals, and if more than one meal is needed, up to 10, there are no questions asked. People are invited to either roll down their driver window and say hello or are welcome to just hold up fingers for the number of meals they are requesting.
The nonprofit is dependent on community support, contributions and volunteers. It takes nine volunteers each week to serve the meals, a two-hour commitment. To be put on the volunteer list, email friendshipmealsinc@gmail.com.
“It’s such a small amount of time to make such a difference. We welcome groups to sign up together too,” Haislip said.
Currently, a cook is needed for fifth-week meals, four times per year.
“Volunteering is a great way to support the community, but it’s also a great way to meet people from all walks of life and feel like you’re helping do some good,” LeMasters said.
Due to financial cutbacks, the nonprofit is no longer able to purchase desserts and appreciates donations of shelf-stable items, which must be individually wrapped or in a closed bulk container. Cash donations may be mailed to Friendship Meals, P.O. Box 469, Orrville, OH 44667.
Menu and service updates are posted on Facebook at Friendship Meals Inc.
“I truly believe we are meant to lift each other up and serve one another,” LeMasters said. “We aren’t just serving food; we’re talking, getting to know people and making sure the people we serve are OK. It’s not unusual for regulars to tell us that another regular is in the hospital or that they’re dropping off food to a neighbor who is homebound or sick.
“Sometimes, you just need a smile and to see a familiar, friendly face, and we aim to be that for people in our community.”