Battling Hunger in Essex, One Meal at a Time

Pastor Kimberly Brown-Whale originally planned to help a few dozen people when she began offering weekly meals two years ago at .

Word spread quickly, however, throughout eastern Baltimore County as  Wednesday meals were offered with no questions asked. Lines outside the church grew as people lined up more than an hour before doors opened.

The church now feeds 115-125 people per week. The program, known as just celebrated its second anniversary. The church has served more than 10,000 meals to those in need, ranging from the homeless to senior citizens looking for company.

Brown-Whale said she helped advertise the program mainly through word of mouth, but many discovered the program through information posted on promotional T-shirts handed out during the early weeks of the program.

“The economy is so bad right now and we just want to help those who need it,” Brown-Whale said. “Many of those who come here have very few certainties in life, except knowing that they will get at least one good meal a week here.”

Brown-Whale stressed that Table of Grace could not be successful without the assistance of dedicated church members.

About 10 volunteers come in each Wednesday morning to prepare food. Another dozen or so people come in to help serve the food and offer other assistance. A few people come in after getting off of work to help clean up at the end of the night.

The food comes from a variety of sources, including local food banks and donations. Those who come for the meal are also guaranteed a bagged lunch and leftovers if available. Free coats are also available.

“The best part of what we do is that there are no qualifiers,” Table of Grace volunteer Carol Wehner said. “You’re able to come here and enjoy a meal and fellowship without worrying about being judged. We have a lot of people who come here that have hit hard times and have never needed assistance before.”

Along with meals and clothes, the church also provides approximately 350 families with groceries on the third Thursday of each month.

“It’s not easy these days,” said Patrick Stone, a regular visitor to Table of Grace. “It makes me proud to know that there are people in the community who want to help those who need it the most.”

The increased popularity in Table of Grace in eastern Baltimore County demonstrates increased need as the economy continues to flounder.

Tony Coffield, executive director of the Community Assistance Network, said his non-profit, founded in 1964, is seeing more people than ever before who need assistance for everything from paying rent and utilities to buying groceries.

Coffield said his food pantry, which services mostly people in eastern Baltimore County, has about 2,000 members this year. This compares to just 900 in 2009.

“We have a huge increase in people who need help that have never been a part of the assistance system before,” Coffield said. “Many of these people are very proud and grew up with the belief (in) ... taking care of yourself. However, when you lose your job and your wife loses her job and you have three kids and a mortgage,  you’re left with few options.”