BY LAURA KRUG
Breathe Coffee house hosted their bi-monthly free community meal on Sunday and people in Hays gathered at the downtown shop for warm soup on a cold and rainy evening. All of the ingredients for the beef and vegetable soup and meals were provided by donors in Hays. Around 40 meals are served to guests throughout the night. During this event, FHSU nursing students were helping out as serving volunteers.
The community meals first began 3 ½ years ago and were initially a monthly event. As time went along and the attendees and support increased, the meals became bi-monthly. Marcia Dinkel, Annie Erbert and Jessica Johnson were the co-chairs and organizers of the event on Sunday night.
“We never know who is going to come, and everyone is always welcome,” Annie Erbert said.
“Fort Hays nursing students, youth groups and anybody who is looking for volunteer opportunities or ways to give back to the community volunteer to help with the meals,” Marcia Dinkel said.
Many volunteers return to the bi-monthly meals to help after their first time since they enjoy the event. Breathe also delivers food and groceries to homes of those who couldn’t make it that night.
People’s lives are affected positively by the small gesture of inclusion into Breathe’s community.
“The regular guests come just as much for the conversation as they do for the food. Getting to meet families, single moms, little kids and older folks who have amazing stories is great,” Dinkel said.
“If people express to us that they have a need for childcare or extra help we give them information on a place to go for help,” Erbert said.