Sharing a meal with another person is one of the most social activities humans can engage in. For Lititz Church of the Brethren (LCOB), breaking bread with neighbors is one of the highest forms of outreach.

LCOB's community meal possesses the power to bring people together, create greater understanding and make the Warwick community stronger.

"We want to engage in the community," said Jean Strom Boyer, LCOB's outreach and relationship ministry coordinator. "Developing relationships is important, and there's no better way to do it than around a meal. Meals are important that way. It gives an opportunity for our own (volunteers) to build relationships by working together to serve the community. It gives a lot of opportunities for a lot of people to meet new people."

Located at 300 W. Orange St., Lititz, LCOB serves its community meals at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month from November to May. LCOB's next community meal will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 15, in the church's family life center.

The meal is free to attend, but monetary freewill offerings will be accepted.

"At this point in time, the need for food is great," said Boyer. "(LCOB's meal is) an opportunity to have a meal and fellowship. We've seen people take advantage of it, and we welcome more."

Following the serving of the meal and the breaking of the bread, LCOB typically offers presentations from local nonprofits, service organizations and entertainment like storytelling and crafts.

"We like to have things that might interest (people)," said Boyer. "It could be people talking about their agencies. The programs are for people to understand more about our values of service and peace. It's designed to give people opportunities to serve in their community. People can come just for the meal or just for the program or both."

LCOB's community meals consist of a main course or soup, a vegetable, bread and dessert.

"We call it a simple supper," said Boyer. "People don't come for a full-course meal. We're just offering food to people who want food."

LCOB's community meal is designed for residents of the Warwick School District, and on any given evening, between 60 and 100 neighbors take part in it. It takes about 20 volunteers, mainly congregation members, family members and friends, to cook, serve and clean up after the meal.

"It makes me feel good to think that volunteers are getting to know each other better," said Boyer. "It makes me feel good to see people I know sitting with people in the community. (The volunteers) like being able to serve others. That is a big part of our ministry at the church, serving."

LCOB, a church of about 160 active members, served its first community meal in January of 2023.

"We talked about the needs of the community," said Boyer. "We knew the need for food was great in Lancaster and Lititz. ... It's just kind of grown out of some ideas."

"It aligns greatly with the church's mission," added Boyer. "That's why we do it. Our mission is to transform by Christ. This is just part of our mission. Our goal is to meet the needs of the community."

For additional information about Lititz Church of the Brethren, go to http://www.lititzcob.org.