WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – For the past three years, St. Thomas Episcopal Church in White Sulphur Springs has been offering a free Community Dinner once a month to the public. Many people come to pick up a hot, delicious meal and dessert to take home. Others stay to enjoy their meal with friends and family.
“We are blessed to be able to offer this outreach in White Sulphur,” said the Rev. Betsy Walker, Rector of St. Thomas. “Our congregation has a long history of helping others. This project is an ongoing effort with participation by area restaurants that want to be part of something special to give back to the community.”
Mother Betsy recalls a critical ministry St. Thomas offered when the Flood of 2016 devastated Southern West Virginia, especially the city of White Sulphur Springs. The floodwaters claimed 23 lives; 14 in Greenbrier County and 8 from the Spa City alone. “We were a hub for the town with cleaning supplies, generators, food, clothing, water, and meals.”
St. Thomas would serve more than 16,000 meals over 18 months to anyone who needed a meal. Groups like Mennonite Disaster Services came to eat every day. “We are a small congregation with a big heart,” Walker said. “We have been in White Sulphur Springs for nearly 140 years. We were known for our Labor Day Fair for over 70 years, and we have had other events to aid others like rummage sales, “white elephant” sales, organ concerts, and special services throughout the Church Year.”
Members of St. Thomas are eager to be at each dinner to make sure everything is ready to go before the first people come through the door. “Our church family shows up and works hard to ensure that folks enjoy a great meal and have an evening with friends and neighbors,” Walker added.
The Community Dinner outreach has become a popular offering for White Sulphur area eateries, including The Schoolhouse Hotel, Valley View Country Club, and Mill Creek Homestyle Bakery, which have volunteered to cook some of the dinners, utilizing the grant St. Thomas has graciously been given for the sole purpose of this outreach. Meal attendance averages 200 for the monthly dinners.
“Every month we have folks come and volunteer to greet our diners and help serve the meal. We are so grateful for everyone who has been part of this outreach ministry,” Walker said.
If you would like to help in serving or cooking a meal, please contact St. Thomas at 304-536-3320 during the parish’s office hours. The monthly dinners are held from 4-6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month. The next one is scheduled for Monday, June 16.
