Erin O'Dell, Melonie Eckerson holding daughter Phaedra, and Lion Schoenes, some of the regular crew making lunches on Tuesdays
Melonie Eckerson, co-owner with her husband Anthony of Gypsy Willow Catering, has taken the lead to serve free lunches on Tuesday afternoons at the Orcas Island Community Church.
She emphasizes, however, that the lunches, ongoing since April, are a collaborative effort. She credits Dawn Light and Mary Lou as her “Kitchen Goddesses,” ssying, One day without them and I thought my world would fall apart.”
The lunch volunteers rely on donations, and the majority of costs come from Gypsy Willow’s budget. “As a catering company, we can piggyback orders, and get supplies for minimal charges.
She finds great fun in the Tuesday lunches: “It’s a good creative outlet. As a caterer, most times we’re under very strict guidelines to be our clients. Here we can do what we want to do.
“People are wonderfully helpful. People bring in food spontaneously and somehow it all works out. There’s lots of interaction between the volunteers and the guests.”
The lunches are from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the lower level of the Community Church.
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