For everyone who runs out of Chunch leftovers by Tuesday night, you will be pleased to know that Grace Episcopal hosts a free, monthly dinner by the name of “Grace Meals for SU”. It’s a working title. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free dishes and desserts are available. Plus, when you RSVP for the dinner, you can inform them of dietary restrictions.

Now, Grace Episcopal generously hosts free monthly meals for all Southwestern students. The Reverend Anne Matthews, a Southwestern alumna, helps host the dinner to give back to students She proudly declares that Grace Episcopal is “open and welcoming to our neighbors across the street.” The church is located at 1314 E University Ave. You know the area between the First-Year dorms and the Fine Arts Building? If you cross University Ave from there, you will end up right in front of Grace Episcopal! The inaugural dinner was held last April, and the church has hosted dinners this September and October. 

For the October dinner, I walked the short distance to the side of the church and was greeted outside by Reverend Bertie Pearson. In contrast to the chilly evening, the space inside was warm and friendly. The tables were decked out in festive fall decor. Bowls of chips sat on the yellow and orange table cloths. Cutlery had been placed neatly on pumpkin-themed napkins. The folks helping with dinner were absolutely lovely. I sat together with them and chatted while we ate. The volunteers love to talk to Southwestern students. 

Most importantly, the food was great in both quality and amount! The offerings of the night included chicken casserole, beef casserole, cheese tamales, rice, beans, fresh salad, and slices of chocolate cake. For the sake of journalism, I tried nearly everything. So, I can confirm that there were no bad options. My favorite dish was the beef casserole: a cheesy masterpiece with the crunch of corn chips. 

The plentiful dessert table featured homemade cookies, chocolate turtles, and Tootsie Pop ghosts. I walked back to campus, stomach full, determined to come back for the next dinner. The next dinner will be held Tuesday, November 15th from 7p.m. to 9p.m. Mark your calendars and RSVP here!
Grace Episcopal will not host a dinner in December, but they plan to host several dinners in the Spring starting in January. The best way to find more information about Grace Meals for SU is through Mthr. Anne Matthews who’s email is: revballoon21@gmail.com) or Dr. Melanie Hoag who’s email is: hoagm@southwestern.edu. However, keep an eye out for Dr. Hoag’s Postmaster notices. It is highly recommended to fill out the RSVP form that is linked above. This form can also be found in the Postmaster notice! This is so the church can ensure there is plenty of food for everyone and, again, you can let them know if you have any dietary restrictions. Look no further than across the street for a free, hearty home cooked meal!