Cohoes Community Dinner
We started by serving 30 to 40 people, but as the dinners have become well known around Cohoes, the need has more than doubled. With an overall average of 76 people, we have been blessed to serve 100+ for each of the past 3 weeks."
September 08, 2010
Times Union article from 9/3/10
Church dinners offer more than just food
By Randy Koniowka Special To The Times Union
Page 1 of 1
Every Saturday night for the past eight months, the United Church of Cohoes on Mohawk Street has been offering food, friendship and spiritual fulfillment.
What started out as a free Thanksgiving dinner is now a weekly community event. Including the people who come to the church and meals delivered to those who cannot come, the church says the event feeds an average of about 200 people a week.
Organizer David Stowell said the church held its first dinner last Thanksgiving.
''After that, I knew the need was there," he said. "The need in Cohoes is greater than anyone realizes."
Saying he expects the dinner to continue to grow in size, Stowell said the church is looking for corporate sponsors. The dinners are now supported entirely by church donations.
However, the dinners are not just for the needy, but an opportunity for the entire community to come together. Shirley Langlais, a resident of Ogden Mills Apartments, said she and her friends look forward to it every week.
"We are all welcome here, and that's what is nice," she said.
City resident Jennifer Blowers, who attends every week with her special needs daughter, said the gathering offers more than just food.
"It's like having a second family," she said.
And for some, the dinner is a chance to give back.
A man who helped serve food at a recent dinner, and who asked to be identified only as Mike, said he was homeless eight months ago.
''I joined the church and ever since my life has gotten better. Now I volunteer at the dinner, cooking, whatever they need," he said. "This place has changed my life."
Tyler Fisk, 14, of Green Island was also helping out on a recent Saturday night. He said he does not mind spending a night away from the computer.
"I thought it was important that people had a hot meal," he said. "I hope more teens realize how important it is to help those in need in our community."
Posted by dave at 06:58 PM
November 28, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
Wow what a blessed time!!!527 Thanksgiving dinners were either served or delivered.Thank you to volunteers from OLA, Latham Kiwanis,Latham KofC,
UCC, Holy Trinity, and many others this type of combined efforts to serve in Gods name is what Christianity is all about.
Thank you to our Donors. RTS inc. Our Lady of Assumption,Mike and Deb Smith,The Loos family and many friends of Matthew 25 ministries.
Without each and every person or group this effort would not have been possible.
Posted by dave at 09:12 AM
February 22, 2012
March menu
3/3/12 ladies of Charity TBA
3/10/12 Make your own subs and Chili
3/17/12 Corn beef and cabbage by OLA
3/24/12 St Edwards TBA
3/31/12 Vineyard goulash
Posted by dave at 04:56 PM