Easter meals served, delivered at Elyria's St. Mary Parish

ELYRIA — A tradition of serving those who are alone or in need of food on Easter continued Sunday at St. Mary Parish in Elyria. Volunteers cooked enough meals to feed 67 households around Lorain County where residents needed a free warm lunch brought to them, and many more who were able to stop by the parish in person picked up their food in a drive-thru. After seeing or listening to newspaper and radio advertisements seeking local residents who could be served on Easter, those who needed meal deliveries called the parish to request that service. "We have delivered to families of up to 13, and we've also delivered to shut-ins who are living alone," said volunteer Jen Brown, who helped coordinate the effort. In ordinary times, tables are set up in St. Mary Hall for families and individuals to dine in, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the parish to make some changes to its usual system. Cars pulled up along the hall's entrance on St. Mary's Way and told volunteers how many meals they needed, limiting the potential for the virus to spread. When all was said and done, about 165 pounds of ham had been cooked throughout Sunday morning and afternoon, volunteer Andrew Brown said. Also included inside each meal container: honey-baked ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, a roll, salad and a homemade Easter dessert. Volunteers from the parish routinely offer free meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas, in addition to Easter. On Christmas, wrapped gifts are provided to young kids. Jen Brown said the families who help out with the events continue to do so because it is important for them to "pay it forward" to local residents who have fallen on hard times. "Truly, it could be any one of us any day," she said. "We can't forget our purpose to help each other." One volunteer arrived at the parish at 6:30 a.m. to start cooking the hams, the drive-thru opened around 11:30 a.m. and the plan was to stay around until 3 p.m. or whenever the food ran out. A line of 15 to 20 cars stretched to Middle Avenue before volunteers even began serving meals, Jen Brown said. The pandemic has noticeably increased the community's need, and she said she is looking forward to serving food in the parish hall again soon. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.