Harvest Meals for the Hungry Serves Up Love in East Towson
By Theodosha Hayes, 2nd Episcopal District
There’s a hot pot of food on the stove inside the Family Life Center at Mt. Calvary AME Church in Towson, Maryland. On this Wednesday, the dinner consists of a plate of chicken, meatloaf, broccoli, rice, salad, and other fixings to warm the soul. This “Harvest Meals for the Hungry” weekly dinner is being served by a group of college students from Towson University and church members; but on any given week, you’ll find scout troops, civic associations, or just interested community members who want to give back.
Harvest Meals for the Hungry is one of the church’s outreach ministries. It’s a dinner program offered by the Culinary Ministry that’s been providing meals free of charge to anyone since 2015. Eric Becker is a homeless man in Towson who attends the meal almost every week and says, “When you’re homeless and you’ve lost everything, only three things remain: faith, hope, and charity. This place has all three.”
The program was started under the former pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller, who retired in 2017. It’s now run by the Rev. Bonnie Epps-Burgess under the leadership of Pastor Bobby B. Cox, Jr. who says Harvest Meals for the Hungry is merely an extension of the church’s mission. “Our theme is ‘Making Lives Different,’” and this is just one of the ways at Mt. Calvary that we try to make lives different,” said Pastor Bob, as he is affectionately called.
The program is running at a time when it is needed more than ever. The homeless population is growing in Towson but people from many walks of life attend the dinner. You’ll find seniors on fixed incomes; working class people, infants, and children; and those who are mentally and medically dependent. According to the Assistance Center of Towson Churches (ACTC), of which Mt. Calvary is a member, a little more than 25,000 people were assisted with food in Baltimore County in 2017 and many households are just two paychecks or a medical illness away from homelessness.
“[In] our first full year, we served 1,238 plates of food and that was in 2015. In 2018, we jumped up to over 2,500 plates of food so that will tell you something about the need in Towson,” said the Rev. Epps-Burgess, who takes pride in the well-organized operation. She coordinates volunteers, contacts grocery stores and food banks, and is trying to secure grant money from corporations and foundations to keep and expand the program. She also often brings in speakers on health, housing, human services, and other resources during the dinner to help those in need. “Our missionaries recently received 100 pairs of new shoes and sneakers; and on occasion, we give clothing to people,” said the Rev. Epps-Burgess. “We believe in a holistic ministry, so with that in mind, this is what we do,” says Pastor Bob.
Mt. Calvary is an anchor in East Towson. It’s been around for 129 years. On Sundays, the church is packed with folks who give their time, talent, and treasure to make it possible. It costs about $225 dollars a week to run the meals program for around 65 or more people. For Christmas and Thanksgiving, the church goes all out with a grand holiday meal complete with music! Harvest Meals for the Hungry was recently featured on the local NBC-affiliate in Baltimore, WBAL TV 11 News, as part of their “Project CommUNITY” segment which highlights people and organizations that are making a difference in the community. Visit https://www.wbaltv.com/article/mt-calvary-church-serves-hot-meals-on-wednesdays-to-homeless-community/27076266.
After “community guests” are fed, volunteers sit and enjoy a plate of food as well. Becker says, “It’s the best meal in town. It’s nutritious. It’s well balanced and they even take into consideration about people with special health needs.”
To expand the ministry beyond the meals, Pastor Bob hopes to provide back-to-school supplies for children, flu shots through a local pharmacy, and a platform for health agencies and workforce opportunities. Pastor Bob also seeks to build a corporate support network with local businesses, universities, and medical associations. In the words of Delores Wright who often attends the weekly dinner, “Mt. Calvary is working for God in this community.”The Harvest Meals’ guiding scripture is Matthew 25:34-40.
For further information or to contribute, contact Mt. Calvary AME Church, 300 Eudowood Lane, PO Box 20416, Towson, MD 21286. The office phone is 410-296-9674. Visit them at mtcalvaryame.org.
Ms. Theodosha Hayes is a reporter for WBAL-TV and a member of Mt. Calvary AME Church in Towson, Maryland.
