Don’t come to dinner to help the hungry in Douglas County

Sitting down at a table with food on it is something that we take for granted. We worry more about what to eat or what groceries we need rather than if we will have something to eat or if we have enough money to purchase the food items we need. Not everyone lives in that reality; there is a significant portion of the Douglas County population that wonders if there will be a next meal for their family.

Concordia Lutheran Church wants to highlight that need as it sponsors “Guess Who’s Not Coming to Dinner” on April 11.

The concept behind the meal is simple: Buy a ticket and don’t show up.

There’s a good reason not to attend — there is no food on the table. On the evening of the event tables will have been set up in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Each place at the table will have the necessary utensils, silverware, a plate, a cup and a glass. All will be in ready for a meal; however, there will be nothing to eat.

As I describe the idea behind the meal: “It is a powerful image to see all these places ready, and yet, nothing is on the table. It reminds us of those who are in need. We are forced to think about those who do not have the resources to provide for their families. We also are forced to think about how fortunate we are.”

There is silence in the hall — no family conversations, laughter or clanging dishes —just silence.

People from the community are encouraged to participate in Guess Who’s Not Coming to Dinner in a variety of ways: Purchase a place at a table for $10 or an entire table for $75, come and see the tables set 5-7 p.m. the evening of the event or participate in prayers for the homeless and hungry.

Tickets can be purchased through the church. Interested individuals may call (715) 394-3762 to purchase their tickets or stop by the church office during regular business hours or sign up for a 15-minute prayer time in the church’s chapel the evening of the meal.

All money collected will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, which provide food for local food shelves in Superior and Douglas County. A donation to this organization increases purchasing power tenfold because of its ability to access foods donated by companies.

In a special May 1912 edition of the Evening Telegram, a story was run about a starving orphaned boy who broke into a bakery and stole some bread. He was arrested for burglary.

“I hadn’t a thing to eat for days and just had to get something,” he said. His was an act of desperation. There are those today who are in similar circumstances. Make your difference by choosing not to come to a dinner and to remember those who may see an empty plate on their table every night.

Gary Banker is the event coordinator and pastoral lay assistant at Concordia Lutheran Church.

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