A staple of community life in Peterborough will return in February, as Union Congregational Church, 37 Concord St., will resume serving its free community suppers on Mondays starting Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m.

“All are welcome - not just for a good meal, but for conversation and company,” said Martha Dahl, a church member and one of the driving forces behind the meals. 

The church had been serving weekly meals on Monday evenings since 2003, according to volunteer Deb Fredericks. Last summer, the church purchased a new stove, but installation and updating the fire suppression system has taken longer than expected. The new stove and fire suppression system have also required the church to update the fire alarm system. Even though that remains to be done, the church has a workaround plan to provide meals.

“Four of us met to create menus that can be created without the use of the stove in the kitchen at church,” stated Fredericks.  “We know that people are missing this opportunity to eat and share fellowship in many different ways. It is going to be a challenge, but we are up for it. The first few weeks will be a learning experience and there will be new and different obstacles. But I know we can do it!”

Volunteers who prepare the meals are not cooks by trade. They include working professionals and students who come to the church after classes are out. The menus are posted on the church website, uccpeterborough.org. All suppers include dessert.

“The plan is to fix the main courses at home. If it is a ‘hot’ meal, then we will use crockpots,” said Fredericks. 

Although this has been a curveball, the program was able to overcome the earlier challenge of COVID.  

“There were many hurdles thrown in our path during the pandemic, but we were able to continue our mission by switching to a take-out system that turned out to be well received,” said Fredericks. 

Between 2022 and 2023, the church served an average of 60 meals a week, and in 2024 that average rose to 72, with 91 people at dinner one evening.

“We were able to return to in-church dining in 2022 and provide delivery of meals to shut-ins as well,” she said. 

It takes about 40 volunteers to make the meals happen, said Fredericks.

“It’s a good way to get out and share a meal with old friends and make new ones,” said Dahl. 

Free community suppers are also offered at All Saints’ Episcopal Church just up the road from UCC at 51 Concord St. on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., and at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 25 Main St in Peterborough Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.