Good Tucker and Other Things

Once a month we put on a free meal for anyone who would like to come.  I tend to write about it each month as it is very much a part of my life.  Merril and I set up the tables for eating at.  This is done the day before the event.  A number of other people cook on the day while others prepare what is to be consumed.  While it may not be a sumptuous Chinese meal it is a sumptuous other sort of meal.
Two organizations donate food which a few volunteers cook.  Chicken is donated from Nando’s and sausages from Super Butcher.  Both lots of food are gratefully received.  Our cooks and the helpers do a great job.  All contributes to making the meal really really nice.  In fact, I have trouble believing how nice the meal is every time.
All this is done not knowing how many will turn up.  Without fail though there is a good turnout.  I know I would want to be there even if it was not done at our place, as it is always a great time.
We are tending to see more and more doing it tough.  Yesterday I sat at a table where one girl was living out of her car.  She said it was the first time ever she had been.  She had spent time in Sydney and was used to seeing churches provide meals.  Another guy at the table is their quite regularly.  He too lives out of his van which he has lived out of for the last 10 or so years.
I was amazed that the girl from one couple came from my hometown of Townsville, and lived down the road from where I grew up -  the same street at which I used to visit a friend to play back yard cricket.  For her this was the first time ever she had experienced a church providing a meal. Another couple I sat with come from a retirement village in Morayfield.
One thing everyone has in common.  The appreciation of what is put on.  It is a bit of work to do, but more and more we are like a well-oiled machine.  I think good food, good company and good news sums it up pretty well.