Four years ago, Angela Wilber felt a desire to do something for the community; specifically, to find a way to provide a hot meal for anyone who might need it.
“I grew up in Milwaukee and I grew up watching a lot of people struggle,” Wilber said. “I was a single mom myself, struggling. I wanted to be able to do something to reach out to the community. So God had laid it on my heart to do outreach to the community.”
Wilber took her idea to the Rev. Susan Phillips, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, and they took it to other pastors in town.
That was the beginning of Shawano’s community dinners; the first of which was held on Christmas Day 2010.
The dinners have continued monthly st First Presbyterian, usually on the fourth Tuesday, except for January when it’s held in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day and December when it’s held on Christmas.
“For some people we realize there’s a need for food,” Phillips said. “For some people there’s a need for community, and for some people there’s a need for connection. Lots of people say, ‘When I was a kid we knew our neighbors, and now we don’t anymore.’ Especially when it feels like the world is much more divided or it’s hard to talk to people.
“This is a place where you can meet neighbors and make friends. Whatever challenges our community faces, we believe we will face them better together because we know each other.”
About 100 people came to dinner that first year. In 2013, there were about 150.
At Thursday’s night’s fifth Christmas dinner, more than 100 were already seated when the food started to be served, with more still coming through the door.
“This is the most diverse gathering of people I’ve seen in Shawano in the time that I’ve lived here,” Phillips said. “Single folks and families, kids and seniors, folks with disabilities, professionals, church folks and non-church folks. It’s fascinating to see.”
The dinners are open to anyone and everyone.
In the first year of the dinners, six churches each committed to providing the monthly meal twice, with First Presbyterian hosting it each month.
At this point, some 15 different groups are in rotation providing the meals.
“People are like, ‘When’s it going to be our turn?’” Phillips said. “They’re anxious to do it.”
The Christmas dinner, however, is the one event no one group takes responsibility for.
“This is just neighbors, friends, volunteers,” Phillips said. “People just show up because they want to help make a difference.”
About two dozen volunteers prepared the meal and served it Thursday. Some of the food comes from the food shelter and some is purchased from donations made at previous community dinners.
Wilber oversaw Thursday’s event and its volunteers.
“I love it because I love being around people,” she said. “So maybe this is like my family. I think for people that don’t have family, this is their family.”
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