Food Finders
In The News
Every Tuesday evening, neighbors gather in the basement of Brown Street Church in downtown Lafayette. What began a handful of years ago as a simple idea to extend the church’s tradition of providing meals to those experiencing a loss has grown into a weekly community meal in an effort to break down the barriers that too often divide us.
What makes these Tuesday dinners remarkable isn’t just the food, though the meals are carefully planned, substantial and satisfying. The atmosphere of genuine community that has developed around the shared tables is the heart of this endeavor. Around 70 people, the number they now plan for each week, gather in a setting that intentionally avoids financial requirements or questions about need. For these dinners, attendees simply show up, grab a plate, find a seat at one of the tables and get to know their neighbor. The dinners represent a cross-section of Lafayette life. While some of the individuals who attend these community dinners are experiencing homelessness, others live in nearby housing programs, some are church congregants, and others are individuals who live in the neighborhood or are simply curious about the gathering. Among the individuals who attended the Tuesday dinner were community advocates, a downtown security guard, families with children, individuals living with addiction who find a safe space to connect with others. Perhaps most tellingly, a neighbor with no religious affiliation never misses a Tuesday meal because, as he puts it, it gives him a chance to meet people he may not meet elsewhere.