For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Neighborhood Table (TNT), a free community meal program, announced that it reached a major milestone in the total number of meals served since its inception in late 2003. It served its 250,000th meal last Thursday in the dining hall of the United Methodist Church, 441 Garfield Street.

“Our program has been serving meals to those in need in our community since December of 2003. It is amazing we have reached this major milestone in the number of meals served,” said TNT President Mary Schultz “This all couldn’t be possible without the help of our supporters and the many volunteers and groups that sponsor our meals. And, as our moto says, ‘We share our meals in an atmosphere of hospitality and mutual respect.’ There are no qualifications for people who wish to participate, so please feel free to come and join us at one of our meals to see how we operate.”

TNT serves meals every Thursday and the last two Tuesdays of the month. Its meals are sponsored by more than 115 various groups, businesses and clubs in the area.

Thursday’s meal was sponsored by the Immanuel Lutheran Church and was a picnic-style dinner featuring freshly grilled brats. Special table decorations also added to the festive atmosphere.

The volunteers who grilled the brats were Dennis Hall and Scott Schiesser. Cooks for the day were Barb Trickle and Diane VandeZande.