Free lunch offered to college students Breah Boone TNE writer A service that has been provided for over five years by the Wesley Foundation continues to reach out to NSU students. Kaycee Young, executive director of the Wesley, said they are living out a mission to take Jesus to college students in whatever way is possible. One thing that catches the attention of students is giving away free home cooked meals. “I remind myself that we are planting seeds to those who might not have a church they can participate in,” said Young. Along with the free food services offered, the Wesley also has a worship service and a bible study. They see these as a gateway to meet the needs of those whom they are reaching out to. One man in particular, Jacob Baker, Coweta junior, became interested in free lunches early on. Baker grew up in a Methodist Church, and he had known Young before he came to college.
Transcript
Free lunch offered to college students
Breah Boone
TNE writer
A service that has been provided for over five years by the Wesley Foundation continues
to reach out to NSU students. Kaycee Young, executive director of the Wesley, said they
are living out a mission to take Jesus to college students in whatever way is possible. One
thing that catches the attention of students is giving away free home cooked meals.
“I remind myself that we are planting seeds to those who might not have a church they
can participate in,” said Young.
Along with the free food services offered, the Wesley also has a worship service and a
bible study. They see these as a gateway to meet the needs of those whom they are
reaching out to.
One man in particular, Jacob Baker, Coweta junior, became interested in free lunches
early on. Baker grew up in a Methodist Church, and he had known Young before he came
to college.
Once Baker came to college, he joined a fraternity. Each week Young would tell Baker
what was on the menu, and Baker would post it into his fraternity’s GroupMe.
“It’s awesome to come and get free food,” said Baker. “I also like coming to converse
with all of my buddies who come at the same time.”
Not only does the Wesley have home cooked meals each week, but they also provide
desserts to everyone. In order to provide free meals to many students, they have to have a
way to pay for everything. Young and other volunteers do this by sending out letters to
churches in the surrounding areas. They ask them to sponsor the meal of the week. They
also have individual donors to help them provide everything that students who come
always look forward to.
“It is perfect for college students to gather at the Wesley to get a free meal,” said
Marybeth Barker, Tulsa senior. “The people here are so generous and easy to talk to.”
Barker has not missed a week of coming since she first heard about this service three
years ago. She began to invite her friends as well. Because of both Barker and Baker
inviting their friends, the Wesley has a constant stream of students coming in during their
serving times.
The Wesley serves the free meals 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. every Wednesday at the Wesley
Church in Tahlequah.
Published 2/02/15
Cutline: Students fill their plate with free food provided by the Wesley in Tahlequah.
