Community Dinners

         About 3 or 4 years ago community leaders from Lacey met with a team of visionaries from St. Benedicts who wanted to reach out into our community and help people who are struggling. The Community Dinners were formed and we opened our doors to homeless, needy, and lonely people and families.  It is truely the "Hands of Christ in the Heart of Lacey".  We are blessed to have groups from St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, St. Mark Lutheran, The German Ministry, and students from St. Martin's University helping and cooking on a regular basis. There is a philosophy to treat people with respect and dignity, no preaching or judgements. Our guests appreciate that and come back month after month. We average about 35 guests and at least 10 people setting up, cooking, and serving.

Gretchen O'Conner and Shannon Mower are the current co-directors, planning and organizing for the event that takes place every 4th Saturday throughout the year.  An extension of the Thurston County Food Bank is also available and people can take home grocery sacks of food for themselves and their families.