The relationship between the Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) campus and residents of the greater Parkland area has dwindled since the COVID-19 pandemic and the disbanding of the university’s Center for Community. In an effort to reconstruct a bridge of connection, Dr. Eva Frey from Wellbeing Services and Resources began collaborating with Reverend Jen Rude and Reverend Jonette Blakney, pastors of PLU Campus Ministry and Trinity Lutheran Church (TLC), respectively. Frey suggested the use of remaining pantry donations for a sponsored community meal. This idea was brought to other departments on campus, Campus Ministry recruited volunteers, and TLC fired up the stoves.
On March 13th, Trinity Lutheran Church hosted a dinner in association with PLU’s Campus Ministry. It was available to PLU students as well as the entire Parkland community. Many of the attendees were elderly people who were able to enjoy food and good company together. The dinners are capable of seating around 64 people. The Community Meal has expanded its outreach and works with rotating PLU departments, clubs, and classes. Indig-enous students and members of NAIS 112, taught by Nicole Juliano, volunteer monthly to set up.
According to student attendee and former Campus Ministry worker Ella Brei, the dinners were a long standing tradition but paused for a while in part due to COVID proto-
cols. Last year, they started back up, and the ties with the PLU Campus Ministry have ensured a steady flow of volunteers.
Dr. Agnes Choi, a Biblical scholar and Chair of Pacific Lutheran University’s Religion Department, shared a few perspectives on the Department’s involvement and the nature of service: “I think a lot of us have the idea that Jesus was a teacher, but if you read the Gospels carefully, he’s actually doing things. He’s caring for people in a lot of practical ways. He feeds the hungry, he heals the sick, he raises people from the dead.” Dr. Choi also helped at the event in the clean-up phase and secured the ever-crucial RSVPs from the students and faculty.
The Community Meal is hosted every second Thursday of the month from 5-6 pm, and volunteer opportunities are available the leading Wednesday for food preparation and Thursday for cooking, set-up, serving, cleaning, and take-down. Scan the QR code to view the Community Meal website for information and sign-ups.
