No one should go without a meal, and Community Action’s Gathering Place is doing its part to ensure the community is fed every night. The Gathering Place, established in 1982, is a program of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties, under the Hunger Relief and Healthy Food Access impact area.

Located at 1448 E Street, the Gathering Place serves dinner every day from 5 to 6 p.m. to anyone who needs a meal, no questions asked. Guests can choose to eat inside the Gathering Place – a spacious two-story historic home – or take their meal to-go.

“We’re a reliable source of homecooked food,” said Lisa Janssen, Gathering Place Program Administrator. “Our ability to provide consistent access to meals allows anyone who experiences life struggles to access services if they need them.”

Compared to 2021, the Gathering Place has seen a 44% increase in need for meals and recently broke a record, serving 275 meals in one night.

“We’re seeing more people who are experiencing challenging life circumstances, but when that occurs, they don’t have to wonder where they can go for dinner. We will be the place they can go, the place they can depend on.”

This important work is made possible through the hard work and dedication of over 500 volunteers annually, and contributions from the community.

To learn more about Community Action’s Gathering Place, visit their web site.