Grace Point Church in Paradise will offer a free community meal on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning on Jan. 13, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The dinner is free and open to everyone in the community.

This is a new program for the church that is designed to offer people a homemade meal and fellowship with others. No registration is required.

"We know there are people in our community who are dealing with food insecurity. We don't know who they are or what age, but it doesn't matter to us," said lead pastor Tim Rogers. "We are trying to offer some support for people in our community."

The buffet-style meal will be served in the church's lower-level fellowship hall. About 15 church volunteers will work to prepare the meal in the church kitchen, greet people and perform cleanup duties.

"There will be a main course, some sides and dessert and coffee," Rogers noted. "There will be signage there to direct people. They can park in the main parking lot."

Grace Point Church's meal, offered in partnership with The Factory Ministries, will be similar to that offered by other churches, including Leacock Presbyterian Church in Paradise. "We have been working with The Factory Ministries on this, which is right down the road, and Leacock, which has been doing (a free meal) for a while," said Rogers. "A couple of people who are coordinating our meal went to their meal, and we talked to them and learned from them. We are grateful for their support and knowing what to expect."

"(Leacock Presbyterian Church) offers a community meal on the fourth Thursday, and we are adding ours on the second Tuesday of the month to space them out to provide the community a couple of meals during the month," he added.

Rogers noted that the church works closely with The Factory Ministries, which will also promote the meal with its clients. "Our community support is funneled through The Factory," he noted. "Many churches in our community find it helpful to have service efforts coordinated through one place. Instead of hosting our own food bank or clothing bank, we centralize it (through The Factory). We encourage our church volunteers to participate and work at The Factory. As a church, we try to stay engaged with programs at The Factory."

For example, church members volunteer during bingo held at The Factory on the fourth Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. "(Bingo) brings in 100-plus people," Rogers said. "People from our church are there volunteering, and we get to know some of the folks in our community who we are connecting with."

He said that The Factory provides connections between its clients and local churches. "If someone comes to The Factory, they meet with an advocate and the advocate can connect them to a church for ongoing support. They might get help with rent or food, but they get more than that - a connection in our community," he noted. "That's why our meal is coordinated with The Factory, so they can cross-promote it. We want The Factory participants to know they can come into a place that is safe and trustworthy ... to grab food."

Although he does not know what the turnout will be for the first community meal on Jan. 13, Rogers encourages local neighbors to give it a try. "It is as simple as it sounds. It's a free community meal, and it is open to anyone who would like to come," he stated. "For some, it may be connecting and meeting other people. For others, it may be (a way to deal) with food insecurity.

"We are looking forward to it as a new way to serve the community," he added. "We hope it will be helpful for some folks."

Grace Point Church is located at 8 S. Singer Ave., Paradise. For more information about the church and its activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/gracepointparadise or http://www.gracepointparadise.com. Those with questions about the free community meal may call 717-687-797.