Though many people become more aware of the less fortunate during the holiday season, the need to help feed the hungry and homeless never goes away. That is why The Grace Diner serves free weekly meals to those in need all year long.
Martin Feinberg, Realtor, was interested to learn that The Grace Diner is a non-profit organization run by the Grace Lutheran Church, with a restaurant-style setting of tables and waiters that serve patrons freshly cooked meals. Meals are served every Monday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Parish Hall as a way to provide those in need a guaranteed place and time to eat, unwind, and socialize. Parish Hall is located within the Culver City Real Estate area at the Grace Lutheran Church on 4427 Overland Ave.
Yolanda D., a diner at the event, said, “It’s really well done because it’s clean tablecloths, it’s open for two hours, and you have a full-course meal cooked.”
Lisa Skelley, manager of The Grace Diner, explained how the diner helps the marginalized feel cared for. She stated, “it’s interesting because when people come to the diner, they automatically think they should get a tray and go up to our window to get food. They’re always a little shocked when I say, ‘Oh no, go ahead and get a seat, and we’ll have our wait staff come over to serve you.’”
Diners are given a three-course meal during their stay: a salad, entree, and dessert. The Grace Diner typically makes 110 meals each week, usually serving about 90 regulars with a couple of new faces each Monday. The Grace Diner never turns anyone away however, making it available for any individual in need of food. They even have a takeout option.
If the amount of food that is needing is more than is readily available, workers at the Grace Diner are not afraid to improvise.
“One time, I had to go to Jack in the Box and order 220 tacos,” Skelley shared.
Though providing a weekly meal—they have now provided meals for 541 consecutive weeks—is The Grace Diner’s objective, their primary aim is much grander in scope.
“Our goal when we started the diner is that churches would take over each night,” Skelly said. “That has not happened, but this is the beginning.”
Culver Palms United Methodist Church has begun to follow the example set by the diner and is now providing a free meal every last Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at their church on 4464 Sepulveda Blvd in Culver City.
Local listing agent Martin Feinberg notes that The Grace Diner has plenty of volunteers, but depends primarily on donations to keep the meals coming, which are always in need. Interested parties can donate through their website www.gracediner.org under the section “Donate Now.”