Submitted photo Diana Johnson accepts a $500 check along with many boxes of snacks from Donna Trulik, right, and Katie Kerens, left, co-presidents of the United Women in Faith, to support the Lunch with Neighbors program.

ELKINS — Diana Johnson, one of the coordinators of the Lunch with Neighbors program at the First United Methodist Church (on Kerens Ave), attended the March meeting of the church’s United Women in Faith, giving the ladies an update on the program and receiving a gift of $500 and multiple boxes of snacks for the program.

The Lunch with Neighbors program was established in October, 2021 by the Mission Committee at the church. In its first year of operation, meals were served on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and a total of 9,441 meals were served from January 2022 thru December 2022. In 2025, a total of 27,314 meals were served including 26,481 weekday lunches and another 833 meals during the Forest Festival (Thursday thru Saturday).

On a typical day, the neighbors begin gathering around 11:00 having, a cup of coffee and perhaps a snack, while waiting for lunch to be served at 12:30 P.M. Prior to eating, there is a prayer circle for those who would like to participate. Neighbors and Volunteers share prayer concerns and announcements then the pastor or a volunteer leads prayer followed by the group saying the Lord’s Prayer together. One day a month, communion is served with FUMC Pastor Tim Edin and Johnson assisting, going from person to person, taking the time with those who partake. “The people will go out of their way to say thank you,” said Johnson.

In addition to serving meals, an arrangement has been made with the YMCA to provide shower facilities for the Neighbors who have a need. “The Y will let us take people over for showers if we go with them and sign a waiver, then wait until they get out,” said Johnson. “It’s a huge help.” The program also has a representative from the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness coming regularly to meet with individuals to help them secure a place to live.

Not all who participate in the program are homeless. There are many participants who are simply food insecure. “We have several men and women who come regularly. Some are on fixed incomes, and they enjoy coming to the luncheon to visit,” added Johnson. “Many come for the friendship and the gathering.”

The program is funded through a variety of sources. Recently, the State of West Virginia released funds to Mountaineer Food Bank, and the program received $7500 to purchase necessary food items. “That amount has really helped us because we would already be through half of the grants [Johnson] got towards the end of last year,” commented Johnson. Funds have also been received from the Methodist Foundation. All churches in West Virginia that offer food programs were eligible to receive these funds. Other grants have been received from the Tucker Community Foundation (Run for It), the Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon and the Snowshoe Foundation.

Prepared foods, including sandwiches and lettuce, are received from Sheetz. Occasionally, food items are received from Kroger but, more frequently, Kroger offers reduced prices on purchased items. Graceland Inn & Restaurant also provides excess food items to the program each week. “The program would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers. There are a group of 10 to 12 volunteers that come to all the lunches and several church members that make homemade cookies to have a every lunch, we are blessed,” added Johnson.

Individual donations are also very important to the success of the program; gifts to support Lunch with Neighbors can be made via the First United Methodist Church. Gifts can be mailed to First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 or they can be dropped at the church office during office hours (Monday – Thursday, 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.). Gifts can also be made online at http://www.fumcelkinswv.org (Mission Feeding Ministry). Everyone is welcome to come and have lunch with The Neighbors.

On April 14, Lunch with Neighbors will participate in the annual Feed the City event by providing drinks.

All ladies of the community are welcome to join UWIF during its monthly meetings. The April meeting of the group will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at 11:30 at the church. A representative of the Backpack Ministry will be the speaker.