St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cardington took an unusual approach to feeding the local community, handing out free 12-inch subs to over 200 patrons at a local Subway.
The congregation treated customers, who began to flock to the sub store at 5 p.m. on Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. after the restaurant was packed with hungry Cardington residents.
The event drew a steadily large crowd throughout the night, as the line was out of the door for the duration of the giveaway.
“This is our first time doing this. Our outreach ministry wanted to find creative ways to physically feed people in our community and hoped that this might also be a good way to get to know some people. We just didn’t know what to expect”, said Rev. Adam Sornchai, Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall), .
The staff at Subway was able to handle the higher than usual traffic. “I think what the church has done is excellent in getting the community involved”, said Cardington Subway Owner Steve R. Dexter.
St. John Lutheran were present to welcome and greet folks that came. “I believe this was extremely successful,” said St. John member Cindy Harris. “ I know some families were getting 12 inch subs that they could stretch into more than one meal. The fact that this one event can do that for some in our community is great.”
“This is certainly something we would like to do again,” said Pastor Sornchai. “We want this to be open to all people and having it at the Cardington Subway allows a feeding to take place on a neutral site. Everyone who comes within the time frame gets fed and no one needs to be ashamed because it is open to everyone. The event puts us all on common ground and those who might need it more than others get a much needed meal. This is a tangible way to share the love of God with others.”
St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) of Cardingtonwas formed on March 6, 1836 and is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
