Building Strong Community Bonds Over Food

On Cinco de Mayo, Tuesday May 5^th, please join us for a free community meal at Faith Lutheran Church at 886 North Shore Dr in Forest Lake. The Mexican-themed menu will be served from 4:30-6:30 and you are welcome to come.

Faith Lutheran served our first community meal in April to a combination of congregation members and visitors from the community. Faith is looking to expand our impact by focusing on two specific goals: feed people who are hungry and bring people together in fellowship.

We won’t be collecting data about your personal information. We might ask your name, but only because we want to know who you are.

The momentum for this meal started cooking in the fall when SNAP benefits were cut in the state. After church leaders came together to plan, the decision was made to start a meal after Easter. We are serving on the first Tuesday of the month and will discern over the summer whether to expand.

One of our partners is Community Helping Hands, which is helping promote the meal and providing food donations. Chrissie Lee is the store manager and is thrilled by the new opportunity.

“Community meals bring our community together,” said Lee. “These meals lead us to learn new faces, gain new friendships, meet our neighbors, identify our leaders, and build strong community bonds with one another.”

In addition to providing nourishment and fellowship, the meal also creates opportunities for people to directly serve their neighbors.

One of the volunteers from Faith prefers to remain anonymous. She said, “it’s an honor and a true act of service to provide a meal and fellowship for the community.”

This volunteer has a passion for feeding others and has seen firsthand the value of offering food to a stranger. “It’s the simplest way to show people they are loved and welcome by inviting someone to come and eat with us,” she said.   

Rochelle Sosnoski is encouraged by the willingness of volunteers to show up and help. “I can’t think of a better or easier way of getting to know members of our community than gathering for a meal together,” said Sosnoski. “It’s good for your heart, mind and tummy!”

Scripture often tells stories of food being a unifying connection for people. Jesus miraculously served over 5,000 people with a few loaves and fish. The crowd didn’t expect to be fed a meal. They were hoping to be nourished spiritually. They were present because they sought out a relationship. The meal was consumed in community.

“Socialization is a basic human need,” said Lee. “This community meal helps us potentially touch those who need conversation, or just a warm meal, and we can identify who may need a helping hand, or just a simple blessing!”

Bring an appetite and bring a friend. We hope you can join us on Tuesday night.

Pastor John Klawiter is the senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Forest Lake. For more information, email him at