First Reformed UCC seeks comunity support to continue meal program

{Bob Saylor leads the efforts for the volunteer driven meal program at First Reformed UCC. Photo Credit/Margot Addie Walser}

Amidst the chaos that comes with preparing for the New Year, Bob Saylor, with the First Reformed United Church of Christ, has made it his goal to aid the community of Lexington by providing warm and filling meals to those in need. As we progress further and further into the winter months, time is often lost and chores forgotten due to the days growing shorter and shorter, making it much easier to get swept up in the ensuing disarray. Despite this, throughout the holidays and for the past 5 years, Saylor and First Reformed’s “Free Saturday Lunches” have served as an essential pillar in the community, simply wishing to “feed [those in need] because they’re hungry” and continue to offer support to those who might need it, regardless of circumstance. 

From Left to Right: Volunteers Judy Heffner and Donna Berrier prepared meals. Photo Credit: Addie Walser/Davidson Local}

Originating during the COVID pandemic, when everything was closed and many people were shut off from essential services and resources, Saylor saw those in need and wanted to do something. With the help of the First Reformed Church, a meal pick-up system was developed. With a small amount of clamshell boxes and the objective to provide food for those in need, 20 meals were provided to the community of Lexington. Since then, this volunteer-led association has grown tenfold. From a small group of people making simple boxed meals, to a large group of volunteers working together to provide over 200 meals weekly to those in need, the simply named “Free Saturday Lunches” has “grown and grown and grown,” becoming not only a meal service, but a stability in many peoples’ lives throughout Lexington, and further, Davidson County. 

At a glance, the act of providing meals to those in need can be simply seen as “feeding the homeless,” a notion that, while a good and charitable deed, often makes it easier to see those in need as a generality of sorts. Oftentimes, it is incredibly easy to generalize a group of people if you are not a part of or consistently interacting with said group. In reality, many of the people who utilize charities and meal services are not people who many would consider the stereotypical “homeless.” Simply put, the people coming to these charities and meal services are merely in need. Whether it be fleeing from domestic situations, staying in shelters, or dealing with financial, mental, or health problems, those who are in need and are hungry deserve to be fed. Bob Saylor and the First Reformed church wish to do that. 

Although the “Free Saturday Lunches” group has seen a recent influx of volunteers and labor, a problem persists. With the effort being entirely volunteer-led and donation-fueled, the continued provision of food to those in need can be difficult. As of now, there is projected to only be enough food and resources for the first quarter of 2026. These meals can only be sustained with the help of the community. There is an importance in providing support to others in one’s community. Not only for the prolongment of said community, but for the simple betterment of the general populace. For those who wish to generously provide resources, be it time, money, or canned goods, contact and discuss with the First Reformed United Church of Christ.

First Reformed United Church of Christ: (336) 248-2617