Love and hope are served up daily along with a healthy hot meal at Rowan Helping Ministries.  Does the mention of pork loin, mac and cheese, barbecue chicken, fresh black-eyed peas and summer squash with salad, bread and watermelon make your mouth water?  That’s a sample of the lunch menu served up every day of the year from noon to 1 p.m.

However, the help of Post readers is needed.

• Please volunteer. Hairnets, hand washing, gloves, and masks keep patrons, staff and volunteers safe. Volunteers have no direct contact with residents or patrons. Rowan Helping Ministries staff hands out to go boxes at the back door. Social distancing is enforced and meal recipients must wash hands before receiving their meal. Salisbury Rowan Runners have helped serve lunch two to three times a week in April, and we all feel safe. Rowan Helping Ministries also serves breakfast and dinner. They need more volunteers! Your church, civic club or organization can volunteer. Call Betsy Warner at 704-637-6838, extension 112.

• Food and donations will continue to be needed. Father and Son, Food Lion, and Panera Bread have contributed fresh produce and other goods. Debbie Suggs Catering has cooked up and supplied several mouth-watering meals. As the COVID-19 pandemic affects the community more and more, Rowan Helping Ministries will serve more than the 80 meals they are now serving at lunch. Please consider giving a donation.

• Spread the word. Finally, we need Post readers to spread the word to anyone and everyone needing a nutritious hot meal in a safe environment. Families are welcome. To-go boxes are handed out at the door. Love and hope is served up daily with a hot, nutritious lunch.

— Linda Sufficool

Salisbury