ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605160156
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES TOLLIVER STAFF WRITER
WHAT STARTED FIVE YEARS AGO as a Thanksgiving meal has blossomed into a twice-weekly fellowship in Bedford.
Pauline Bonds and her two sisters have lived in Bedford 56 years, but they've never seen a place like The Shepherd's Table.
"The three of us always plan to come here," Bonds said Wednesday. "This is really nice for elderly people who are not able to cook for themselves."
Shebra Jones and her 2-year-old son, Anthony, came to The Shepherd's Table for lunch Wednesday despite the bad weather.
"We eat here every Wednesday and Friday," Jones said. "This is a real treat."
Although the skies were gray and it was raining outside, no weather could stop Wednesday's five-year anniversary celebration of The Shepherd's Table - a Bedford volunteer group that provides hot lunches for people in need.
The aroma of home-cooked food filled the air at the Bedford Christian Ministries as volunteers from Bedford-area churches worked to have lunch ready by 11 a.m.
In honor of the anniversary, they served turkey, candied yams, dressing, rolls, green beans and squash casserole - with ice cream and cake for dessert.
What started five years ago as a Thanksgiving meal has blossomed into a twice-weekly fellowship among the people of Bedford.
"The Thanksgiving meal was so successful that we figured that we could do something like this on a weekly basis," said Ellen Foster, co-chairwoman of The Shepherd's Table. "But none of this would happen without Evelyn" - volunteer cook Evelyn Booker.
"I enjoy doing this," said Booker, who has been cooking at The Shepherd's Table since it began in May 1991. "We have a lot of fun. ... People from all walks of life, such as retirees, all come here to fellowship."
The volunteers typically serve 60 meals on Wednesdays and 40 on Fridays.
The Shepherd's Table has made continuous improvements during its five-year existence.
"We used to be located in the Bedford Presbyterian Church," said Donna Cone, volunteer coordinator. "We moved here in August, and things have been going great."
Booker agrees. "We have much nicer facilities. Everything is right at our fingertips."
Previously, The Shepherd's Table served lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. Now lunch also is served on Fridays.
"We're looking to opening on Mondays," Foster said, "but we really need more volunteers."
"The Catholic Church has agreed to volunteer two Mondays of each month," said Ray Willis, co-chairman of The Shepherd's Table. "Now if we found some group to work the other two Mondays, we will be open three days a week."
Through community support, The Shepherd's Table has improved its facilities. Two freezers and food warmers were donated recently, and senior citizens volunteered their time to make renovations.
"If more churches and organizations helped out, we could serve meals here every day," volunteer Elizabeth Holt said. "It would be fantastic."
Whether someone would like to get a hot lunch or to meet new friends, The Shepherd's Table seeks to provide a variety of needs for the people of Bedford.
"This is just so nice," Bonds said. "Through these nice people, me and my sisters now have something to look forward to every Wednesday and Friday."
The Shepherd's Table is at 217 W. Washington St. in Bedford. To volunteer, contact Donna Cone at (540) 586-5643.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS/Staff. Ella Snead says a prayerby CNBbefore she eats her lunch at The Shepherd's Table in Bedford, which
provides hot lunches for people in need. 2. Ellen Foster,
co-chairwoman of the Bedford group, speaks with Evelyn Smith, who
eats there often. color.