91 Volunteers Ensure Residents Are Fed: Acton Heroes

ACTON, MA — Like many things in Acton these days, community supper at Mt. Cavalry looks different than it did a few months ago. Mt. Cavalry Community Supper has helped feed those in need, but also connect neighbors by facilitating shared meals as part of its mission since 2012. Now, restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus have shifted the sit-down dinners to a drive-thru. Still, one thing hasn't changed: Volunteers are running the show.

Mt. Cavalry's small volunteer crew serve dinner each Wednesday and, despite the pandemic, a group of 91 volunteers are still on the roster to help with the weekly community supper at Mt. Cavalry Lutheran Church. In an effort to follow the governor's guidelines on social distancing, volunteers rotate each week in groups of 18 and prepare, pack and hand out 120 meals.

"Each week our very brave volunteers make certain that each guest who joins us in the parking lot of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church receives a hot nutritious meal and a brief bit of social interaction," said Pamela Farrill who is a board member and the dinner manager at the church.

Farrill said since the pandemic started, she's seen more people showing up for meals and more new faces in addition to the "supper regulars." While most of the working volunteers are now working from home, Farrill said the pandemic has touched the lives of several volunteers, with some furloughed from their jobs or moved to part-time status.

Another challenge the volunteer group has had to navigate at first was that many of the regular volunteers had compromised conditions and couldn't risk possible exposure to the virus. But it didn't take long before a new wave stepped up to help.

"The new are from all walks of life and they are of all ages, high school, college students, families," Farrill said.

Each person who comes to Mt. Cavalry is given a hot meal, dessert and a couple of donated grocery items. Grocery items are donated by Westford Cumberland Farms and much of the food used for the meals comes from Greater Food Bank of Boston.

The community has offered support in different ways for volunteers. Farrill said a woman donated over 130 face masks for volunteers and guests in recognition of their service to the community.

Mt. Cavalry Community Supper's process has quite literally changed, with less volunteers working in the kitchens and more directing traffic for their drive-thru and handing out meals. Farrill said food preparation and cooking has been the biggest challenge in the wake of the pandemic.

"We can't have a lot of people in the kitchen so we've had to start making simpler meals to save time and energy," Farrill said.

Despite getting used to the new procedure, Farrill said volunteers have made the best of a tough situation and several have brought trays of desserts ready to hand out.

"Behind the volunteers’ masks there is always a smile — food and friendship is still at Mt. Calvary Community Supper of Acton," Farrill said.