Each week in Menomonie, volunteers faithfully gather at four different churches to cook and serve free meals to anyone who needs one. Monday’s Meal is at Menomonie United Methodist Church, Tuesday’s Table is at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wednesday’s Table is at Christ Lutheran Church, and Thursday’s Table is at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Collectively, they are called the Four Tables, though they each operate independently.

In 2024, they served 25,817 hot and healthy meals. They are ready to go at 5:00 p.m. every Monday through Thursday. Tom Schmelzle, of First Congregational says, “Our guests are people like you and like me: caregivers, folks carrying meals to neighbors and shut-ins, families with young children, seniors, and folks who are down on their luck.”

The Four Tables are addressing food insecurity in Menomonie, but they are also providing a sense of community to many.  One guest remarked, “We share, we listen, and we encourage each other. This is not just about food you know!”

St. Joseph Catholic Church was the first to offer meals in 2006. Mary Allison, long-time volunteer at St. Joseph, remembers that no one came to the first very first one, but that soon changed. “We still serve some of the original folks who came that first year, but many have since passed away.”

St. Joseph offers a sit-down meal on Tuesdays, served in their dining hall. Mary continued, “We really love making these meals and we feel blessed to work with our community to make that happen.”

All four sites have a “no questions asked” policy and are happy to serve anyone who comes to their door, or in the case of the Menomonie United Methodist Church, whoever drives up. They offer a drive-through pick-up meal every Monday, and are averaging about 200 meals a week. The menu for the last week of July was a tasty-looking pasta salad, a slice of watermelon, and buttery Texas toast.

Pastor Wendy Slaback shared that some of their guests have physical barriers, and really appreciate the ease of the drive-through system. They were the last of the Four Tables to start serving meals, beginning in October 2021. They are proud of their Monday Meal offering and service. Pastor Wendy says, “We are completely self-supported by our community.”

Wednesday’s Table takes place at Christ Lutheran Church. The Food Coordinator, Jim Kausie, and a handful of volunteers were in the midst of preparing open-face turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed veggies, and a strawberry shortcake to serve. Jim said, “The more food I prepare, the more people that aren’t going hungry.”

First Congregational United Church of Christ offers Thursday’s Table each week. In 2006 they were the second church to start a program. Tom Schmelzle, president of the Thursday’s Table Board, said, “Everyone needs food. When that basic need is a struggle to meet, it causes a cascade of hurt. Thursday’s Table hands out meals each week, but it also provides an opportunity for folks to interact, and share their thoughts and feelings.”

Thursday’s Table is averaging about 140 meals each week. Tom continued, “Individuals, families, and programs are facing uncertain times. Thursday’s Table will continue to utilize all resources available to us and seek others to ensure that we can continue to provide quality meals to our guests.”

Thursday’s Table utilizes a rotating crew of volunteers from both the congregation and the community. “We’re proud of the fact that we use biodegradable to-go containers,” said Tom. He also shared that Walmart Transportation has been donating reusable cloth bags for guests to use rather than plastic bags. “We’re also grateful to Mayo Clinic Health System for grants that enabled us to purchase needed fresh food and supplies.”

Jim Kausie, along with the coordinators at the other sites, mentioned the challenge of funding these meals. Federal funding cuts have made food from various sources more expensive, or non-existent. Most of the Tables purchase food from Feed My People in Eau Claire, a low-cost source of food for community meals and food pantries. Jim stated, “Feed my People has less food available. In addition, TEFAP, ( a federal government emergency food assistance program that purchases food from U.S. farmers), now has dwindling supplies and may be discontinued.”

Jim Swanson, Food Coordinator of Thursday’s Table, shared some of the challenges of federal budget cuts. He reports that the only meat they’ve been able to get lately from TEFAP has been chicken legs. “We roast them up, take all the meat off them, then use it in casseroles or other dishes.” Another difficulty that they are facing is that many of their volunteers are aging, “We really need younger folks to help prepare the meals.”

In 2023 all Four Tables stepped up to the challenge of providing 20 meals to Cairn House each Monday through Thursday. Cairn House, the homeless shelter operated by Stepping Stones had just been completed. Heidi Hooten, the Cairn House Manager said, “We had never provided cooked meals before in our smaller shelter. Now, hot and nutritious meals are picked-up and delivered to us every Monday through Thursday by volunteers. This has been a huge benefit to us as it not only saves us money, but saves us from the challenge of finding someone to cook.  Not many people have the skills to cook for larger groups.”

Bobbette Tunnyhill, a long-time volunteer at Thursday’s Table summed it up well, “I think it’s amazing that we have Four Tables here in Menomonie. It is very much needed, and I’m really proud of our community.” While all Four Tables face challenges, they all work hard to find solutions, and successfully meet a very basic need to nourish both body and spirit.

The Four Tables are looking forward to the 4th Annual Park for a Purpose on Saturday, September 6th from Noon – 4 pm at Wood Wind Park (E7115 1058th Ave, Wheeler; woodwindpark.com). This is a fundraiser to benefit all Four Tables. Admission is free, and there will be a car and craft show, music, food and a silent auction. The Cutaways will be performing and there will be other fun activities.

For those unable to attend the event on September 6, donations may be made by writing a check to Thursday’s Table, PO Box 669, Menomonie, WI 54751, and indicating on the memo line: For All Four Tables. (Note: Thursday’s Table is the fiscal agent for the event).

Individual contributions may also be sent directly to churches that hosts a table:

• Menomonie United Methodist Church, 2703 Bongey Dr, Menomonie
• St Joseph Catholic Church, 921 Wilson Ave, Menomonie
• Christ Lutheran Church, 1306 Wilcox St, Menomonie
• First Congregational United Church of Christ, 420 Wilson Ave, Menomonie

Naomi Cummings is a retired nonprofit director and proud Menomonie resident since 1980.