Community Meal
Now Serving
THURSDAYS: 4:30 to 6PM, Pavilion seating at St. James’ Episcopal Church,
65-1237 Kawaihae Road, Waimea. All are welcome!
In the beginning:
On Dec. 15, 2016, a handful of volunteers from St. James’ Church had a dream of feeding our community, those who are experiencing hunger both in body and in spirit.
After serving 80 meals in the pavilion on St. James’ Circle, a partnership with Big Island Giving Tree expanded the ministry to include deliveries to kūpuna (seniors) in both elderly housing complexes in our area and homeless persons at our nearby beaches. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, our Waimea community meal team was preparing an average of 350 meals every Thursday, delivering 90 to 120 hot, nutritious main courses, salads and desserts, and serving 200-plus people (including keiki, or children) in the Savanack Pavilion, with live music and plenty of aloha. This Feb. 2020 article from the Episcopal News Service gives a great depiction of our efforts.
March 2020 to May 2023:
After we had to pivot to drive-through service during the panemic, the Diocese of Hawai‘i Aug. 21, 2020 newsletter shared the inspiring story of this new outreach. In response to growing need, the team helped our mission church of St. Columba’s in Pa‘auilo launch its own weekly, drive-through community meal on April 21, 2020. It went on hiatus in May 2021 but will resume once the construction of a new kitchen is complete.
May 2023 and beyond:
On Thursday, November 23, 2023, we resumed weekly buffet service with live music in the Savanack Pavilion from 4:30 to 6PM. All are welcome. Even if you're not joining us for dinner, come and share conversation, enjoy the entertainment, or volunteer to prepare, set up or clean up. Many hands make light work!
We continue to deliver boxed meals to kūpuna (seniors) and unhoused families living on the beach.
Sponsors of meal costs and volunteers are always welcome. Please see details below.
Building One Community Meal at a Time
Leadership
The Community Meal Core Ministry Team meets every week to plan meals. Our ministry chairs are parishioners Tim Bostock and Jane Sherwood. Staff member Sue Dela Cruz is our Community Meal Ministry Coordinator. Our committee members include Frankie Pang, Jaisy Jardine, Mel Holt, Mel Pobre, Julie Mattson, Janice Thomas, Marci Yardley, Steve Kittell, and Rhonda Bell.
Volunteer
There are many ways to volunteer, including chopping vegetables for soups and salads, preparing meat and hearty entrees, slicing bread, bagging cookies, packing meal boxes, directing traffic and serving boxes. Shifts at St. James’ typically run from 9 AM to noon, noon to 3 PM and 3 to 6PM on Thursdays. You can also bake for us in your home; donations of homemade cookies prepared with safe hygiene practices are also welcome. To volunteer or donate cookies, contact Community Meal Ministry Coordinator Sue Dela Cruz at eat@stjameshawaii.org.
Sponsor a Meal
Sponsors and co-sponsors are an integral part of the Community Meal’s success. With the help of donated food, your dollars can provide a delicious and nutritious community meal for approximately 600 people. To sponsor a meal, contact Community Meal Ministry Coordinator Sue Dela Cruz: at eat@stjameshawaii.org.
Contact Information
For more information about the Community Meal, including volunteering, donating, or sponsoring, please contact our Community Meal Ministry Coordinator, Sue Dela Cruz:
(808) 885-4923
Please note our coordinator’s hours are 9 AM to 2 PM Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9 AM to 7 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays.