<I>Photos by DAMIAN?MULINIX/Chinook Observer</I><BR>Volunteers at His Supper Table range in age from cook Don Cline, left, to five-year-old Lauren Larson, above.

LONG BEACH – For the past 14 years, His Supper Table has served as a warm, safe place for anyone to get a hot meal and socialize with friendly faces.

But in a reflection of the challenges many are facing in this economic slump, financial woes recently forced the His Supper Table board to lay off their paid cook. Now the remaining volunteers are working hard to keep their doors open and food on the table.

At this point, volunteers Don Cline and Van Vandemarr have taken the lead in the kitchen, usually starting the prep and cooking process at 9 a.m. Like a well-oiled machine, the all-volunteer crew helps peel and chop, divvy up and package staples, roll silverware in napkins, serve the meal and clean up, fund raise and more.

Volunteers say they feed approximately 200 people at each meal, and have seen an increase in families attending meals since the economy tanked. Up until just a few short months ago, the average attendance at each meal ranged from 80 to 100. Between Jan. 1 and July 31, they fed 5,500 people.

Each meal is based on ingredients provided by Northwest Harvest, which makes a delivery once a month, bringing meats, vegetables, canned fruit, flour, sugar and more. A typical menu features a main dish, salad, side dishes, dessert and a beverage. And while guests eat, George Roberts entertains them by playing country western music on his guitar. After dinner, anyone who needs food to prepare at home can take home pre-portioned bags of various staples, such as sugar, flour, beans, canned tomatoes, apples, muffins, rolls and even diapers.

Donations have decreased, and as of Sept. 1, His Supper Table is no longer able to provide take-home meals. The take-out paper products cost about $600 each month. To make up for not being able to provide take home meals, His Supper Table is now offering their clients discount coupons good for purchases at the thrift store.

While Northwest Harvest is their main contributor, His Supper Table also receives day-old bakery items from Cottage Bakery; leftover bakery and deli items from Sid’s; produce and bread donations from Fred Meyer and Costco; and dinner leftovers from the Eagles, Moose and Elks lodges and the Beach Barons. Support also comes from private contributions, F.I.S.H., and the Nazarene, Anchor Baptist, Peninsula Baptist, Pacific Bible, and New Life churches. Volunteers also work closely with Ocean Park Food Bank by helping the group unload their donations off the truck. In return, Ocean Park Food Bank shares some of their donations with His Supper Table. Food supplies are stored in 10 rows of groceries and 14 freezers at the organization’s thrift store building.

This summer, the 501(c)3 non-profit received 38 tuna from the Oregon Tuna Classic, and received ice and bins from Jessie’s Ilwaco Fish to store them until they could all be filleted and packaged. Volunteers estimate that the tuna supply will help them feed folks for four days.

Most of the group’s funding is generated through the His Supper Table thrift store in Seaview. The community donates items to sell in the store and each time a shopper makes a purchase, their money will help His Supper Table buy food and propane, pay utility bills, maintain the delivery vehicles, and pay for fuel and car insurance. When funding allows, volunteers purchase fresh vegetables, meat and other ingredients at Costco and Cash & Carry in Warrenton.

In addition to feeding the hungry, the non-profit also assists in emergencies by providing clothing and blankets to those in need. For example, just recently a man from Alaska had come to the Peninsula and had his belongings stolen. He had been living on blackberries for six days before coming to His Supper Table, who provided him with clothes and a hot meal.

On the His Supper Table board are President Vera Stanard, Vice President Don Bancel, Secretary Georgia Fine and Treasurer Pinkie Eggleston.

While they have no plans to close their kitchen, His Supper Table volunteers say they hope to find a new, more visible location with storage space, a commercial kitchen, and room for the thrift store. Currently the Nazarene church lends their kitchen and dining room space to the group. They would also like to find grants to apply for, a grant writer, another van for transporting supplies, and replacement chairs for the dining area.

Located in the Peninsula Church of the Nazarene at 13th and North Pacific, His Supper Table serves free meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. There are no qualifications; everyone is welcome to eat.

To donate or learn more about their cause, call the church at 642-4520 or the thrift store at 642-4105, or e-mail lbnaz@reachone.com. To volunteer, pick up at application at the His Supper Table thrift store, 4607 Pacific South in Seaview. The store is open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.