NORWICH — The Broad Street United Methodist Church (BSUMC), located at 74 North Broad Street in Norwich serves free meals to the community each month. Their next free meal will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 27.

The monthly meals are open to anyone in the community. Visitors are encouraged to sit down and enjoy a hot meal and visit with other members of the community, or take a meal to go.

"The meals provide a wonderful opportunity for people facing food insecurity and it gives them a chance to gather together socially in a warm, welcoming environment. One of the nice things is that we’re getting to know so many of our guests on a first-name basis," said organizer Barbara Korver. "It’s been a wonderful way for people to gather, [and it's] food for anyone in the community. It doesn’t have to be food insecure, it can be anyone."

The dinners generally include a main course as well as sides and a dessert. In the past, Korver said they've served dishes including chicken cordon bleu on a bun, turkey dinners, pasta, ziti, pulled pork, stuffing, and broccoli salad.

They've served a variety of desserts as well, but Korver said one of the community favorites is ice cream.

"People love the ice cream, so we’ve done ice cream sundaes, we’ve done the waffle cones," she said. "We try to do lots of varieties."

The menu for the next free dinner on April 27 includes sliced, baked ham with pineapple, honey mustard sauce, hash browns, corn, applesauce, and cake.

Korver said they try to make the dinners even more fun with seasonal treats and events, such as a visit from the Easter Bunny or handing out Halloween treats. This Sunday they'll be celebrating the spring season with a jelly bean count; whoever has the closest guess as to how many jelly beans are in a jar will win a candy prize.

They also make a point to recognize the birthdays and anniversaries of their visitors.

"We write their name on a chart, and we sing happy birthday and recognize anniversaries," said Korver. "We also give away free books that kids can pick up."

Additionally, BSUMC takes 12 hot meals to the warming center each month, and visitors are welcome to take free coats, hats, mittens, socks, and boots that have been donated to the church.

Dinners are served year-round in the BSUMC Fellowship Hall, and are usually scheduled monthly on the Sunday after the Helping Hands giveaway nights, which are held on the third Thursday of each month. The next monthly meal is scheduled for Sunday, May 18.

In the summer months, Korver said they only provide take-out meals. Plus, she said over the summer they will be providing free peanut butter and jelly sandwich bagged lunches on a weekly basis.

Check the Broad Street United Methodist Church Facebook page, or the sign in front of the BSUMC, for scheduled dates and menus each month. Informational cards are also given out during the Helping Hands giveaway nights, at the BSUMC food pantry, and at the free meals served at the Catholic church.

Korver said the monthly meals have become a true community event, not just for the free meals and socialization, but also as a group effort involving members of several churches as well as many community members.

She said they get around 30 volunteers for each meal, and together they serve more than 200 visitors each month.

"We have one person from the Catholic church, we have two people from the Lutheran church, and one from the [United Church of Christ]," said Korver. "We have some other people that are not totally affiliated with our church, too. Some community members."

"It’s been wonderful for the people that come and help to serve or get together. We’ve had people form new friendships, and it’s just a wonderful way for people to feel that they're doing something positive for their community," she added. "People look forward to serving so much so that they sign up and they want to do it again the next month."

She said the United Church of Christ also assists them through financial donations to support the monthly meals.

Individuals who would like to get involved can call the Broad Street United Methodist Church at 607-334-2895 to inquire about volunteering opportunities.

Those who would like to support the monthly meals through donations can mail checks to Broad Street United Methodist Church, 74 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815. Donations can also be dropped off at the BSUMC.

For more information on the Broad Street United Methodist Church and their free monthly meals, visit the Broad Street United Methodist Church Facebook page.