Fern Ridge Community Services provides a hot meal every Sunday at Fernridge Faith Center in Veneta. The church has changed hands over the years, but the tradition of feeding people continues.
Janet Appleford coordinates the meal with a small group of dedicated volunteers. She took over it from the couple who started it more than 20 years ago.
“We’ve never missed a Sunday, never closed our doors,” Janet said.
The free dinners are one of three programs provided by Fern Ridge Community Services, a small nonprofit that also provides transitional housing for women and a warming shelter when temperatures drop below freezing.
The number of meals they serve each week varies, but it hovers around 100. Janet and fellow volunteers Don and Wesley drive to Eugene to pick up food for the meals from FFLC multiple times a month.
“We love FOOD For Lane County,” Don said. “FOOD For Lane County is a lifeline to a lot of people.”
GUESTS ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FOOD AND THE FRIENDSHIP
Some guests are unhoused or live in substandard housing. Gerald is 71 and a long-time guest at the dinner. He lives in Veneta in a small trailer on his sister’s property. He comes every Sunday. He likes the food and the company.
Marcia, 76, lives in Santa Clara. She has two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. On Sunday she picks up her son and drives to Veneta for dinner. She also gets a weekly food box from the pantry in Veneta, one of more than 30 pantries that rely on FFLC for food. Marcia’s monthly social security check covers most of her bills, but the dinner and food box help her stretch her limited food budget.
Kimberlee lives in Veneta and has been coming since May. She is 43 and has four kids and two grandkids. When asked if the dinners help, she exclaims:
“Oh my gosh, good heavens yes! This helps everyone out here. Not just homeless. It’s everybody, coming together as a community. You walk in and give everyone a hug. It’s wonderful. It makes this community stronger.”
VOLUNTEERS MAKE THIS MEAL POSSIBLE
A small group of volunteers keep this program running week after week. A few also eat, because everyone is welcome. Mark, 58, is there every week, helping wherever he is needed – washing dishes, serving the meal and cleaning up. He is soft spoken and has kind eyes. He likes the comradery, sitting down with other guests and getting to know people.
“It’s a good thing to help people,” he said.
Jabrila has been preparing meals for the community dinner for seven years.
“This is wonderful and so satisfying,” she said. “When you feed people, you get to know the community on so many levels. Without the food from FOOD For Lane County we couldn’t do it.”
Community keeps Antonio coming back to volunteer.
“My heart is in this because people need help,” he said. “Whatever that may be, that’s what I want to do. This is a place for everybody in the community to come together. I love it.”



