Those who cannot stretch their budget any more or who are without a place to lay their heads can find a smiling face, a warm and delicious meal, clean clothing, and even the gift of prayer at First United Methodist Church in Butler.

The church is one of five in Butler’s downtown area to offer a nutritious evening meal each weekday. The churches that offer the meals are known as the Community Meals Ministry.

First U.M. also offers free clothing to those in need.

Monica Perry, business manager at First U.M., said the number of people partaking in the free evening meal at the church each Friday has increased from an average of 133 last year to an average of 258 last month.

She said while the community meal mainly fed the homeless population in downtown Butler, the increase represents those whose extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits available during the pandemic were eliminated in May.

“There are people on the margin who work and try to make ends meet, but gasoline went up or the furnace needed fixing,” Perry said. “They just don’t necessarily have enough food for this week.”

She said others new to the community meals are retired folks or the disabled who survive on a fixed income and cannot keep up with ever-increasing grocery prices.

Perry said First U.M. is seeing many more children attending the community dinner Friday nights.

“We didn’t used to see many children,” she said. “There was one week recently when we had 44 children on a Friday night.”

Perry said all five churches that offer an evening meal are doing so through takeout, as none can seat 300 people.

She said Butler Food Bank helps with ingredients for the meals, and Ambrose Farm Market in Cabot donates produce.

“They are helping, but there is still a cost,” Perry said.

Even though their numbers have nearly doubled, the church has not cut back on serving sizes or desserts, the latter of which are provided by generous church members all over Butler who bake cakes, pies and cookies to donate to the community meals.

Perry said for example, a recent community meal at First U.M. saw diners receive two stuffed peppers made with fresh ingredients, salad, bread, dessert and a drink.

“It’s a serving (size) you would give to your family,” Perry said.

She said the meals are made more inviting by the church’s associate pastor’s wife, Jong Lee, who brings her electric keyboard to the church before the meal to sing Christian songs and familiar hymns with those lining up to eat.

Volunteers will pray with those waiting their turn if they so desire, or give them a Bible.

“Our volunteers are so faithful,” Perry said. “They provide a hot meal for these people and take care of their souls, too.”

She said the best way for county residents to help with the meals is to send a check to any of the five churches with “Community meal” in the memo line.

The Butler churches that serve the meals are First English Lutheran Church, 241 N. Main St; St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St; St. Andrews United Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Jefferson St.; St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St.; and First United Methodist Church, 215 N. McKean St

Becky Cajka is the clothing drive volunteer at First U.M.’s free clothing shop, Second Grace Clothing.

Cajka coordinates clothes donated by her fellow congregation members on racks at Second Grace at the First U.M. Connection Center on the opposite end of the parking lot to the east of the church building.

Cajka pulls the racks of clothing out of the small shop and into a larger space from 4 to 6 p.m. every third Friday of the month at the Connection Center so those who pick up their free community meal at the church can comfortably go through the clean and neatly organized duds to choose what they need for free.

“We have a lot of regulars who come, and they are always appreciative of the clothes,” she said.

There are no income requirements or forms to fill out to get clothes at the Second Grace shop.

“Whoever needs them can come take clothes,” Cajka said.

She said the Second Grace shop has seen a fairly sharp increase in demand that mirrors the higher numbers seen at the Friday evening meals.

“Traffic here at the clothing giveaway has definitely increased,” Cajka said.

She said shirts and pants are the most popular clothing items.

Cajka said the annual Fall Coat Drive will be held on two Fridays, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10.

Coats, which also are donated by First U.M. congregation members, will be hung outside where those waiting for the meal congregate so they can choose a coat before enjoying their dinner.

Cajka is amazed at the generosity of her fellow church members when they provide coats each year for the drive.

“We ask for new and gently used coats,” she said.

Jackets also are accepted for the coat drive.

“We find the men like something a little lighter, and we also keep our shorts out in the winter,” Cajka said.

Gloves, scarves and hats also are available at the coat drive, and a woman in the congregation knitted hats and scarves last year for the drive. Scarves and hats left over from last year will be available this year, Cajka said.

Anyone can donate new or gently used clothing or coats to the Second Grace shop by pushing the buzzer at the East Locust Street entrance at First U.M. during regular business hours.

Coats can be donated through the end of November, Cajka said. Gently used clothing also can be donated at the Locust Street entrance.

Cajka said when taking classes to join First U.M. some years ago, she filled out an aptitude form. The results revealed she would be best in a “caring ministry” within the church.

“I just laughed,” she said of the results.

Cajka then volunteered at an event the church put on at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Winfield Township.

“I had a wonderful time,” she recalled.

She has since participated in other charitable and children’s activities at the church before taking over the operation of the Second Grace shop.

“It’s just refreshing to be able to help people and all of them are very appreciative,” Cajka said, “and I’m amazed at what people donate and how much they donate.”