Salem Oregon Stake

Since the summer of 2023, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Salem, Oregon, have each Sunday shared food, conversation, and acceptance with residents of the Church @ the Park young adult community. 

These meals have both relieved hunger and helped restore dignity for some of Heavenly Father’s children who are experiencing homelessness—and they have inspired and uplifted ward members as they’ve followed the Savior’s example to love, listen, and connect. 

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt 25:40).

This thriving program provides a hot meal every Sunday afternoon for young people ages 18 to 24 at their place of refuge and shelter. In addition, since ward volunteers are invited to stay and share the meal with residents and staff, the experience provides a setting for building relationships and connections through shared stories and activities. Having this opportunity to collaborate with other Salem faith groups helps build bridges between local leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and our neighbors in the community as well.

The assignments, facilitated by the Salem Stake Communications Leadership and Ward Leads, rotate weekly among eighteen Salem wards from the Salem Stake, the Monmouth Stake, and the Keizer Stake. Ward Leads select a menu and arrange for ward members to donate and deliver food to the facility. Beyond preparing food and setting up for the meal, volunteers being able to stay to eat and interact enriches the experience for everyone. One Salem Stake member describes it as, “Being there for people who need it. Being there to love and to listen as the Savior would if He was there.”

To participate, sign up when it is your ward’s turn! Each ward receives the assignment only four times a year and although space is limited, it is hoped that everyone who wants to join in is able to do so—as often as they wish. Once you have signed up, you will receive information about specific expectations and guidelines.

Stake members have described their experiences at Church @ the Park as eye-opening and heart-warming. Laura Greaves relates an experience she had with a young resident who was confused about what identification she would need for a job. “From ten minutes of conversation—and because we had developed a trusting relationship—I could reassure her and help her with something she was really worried about,” Sister Greaves reports.

Sarrah Taylor has attended several times, “It’s cool to see the residents move on as they get jobs and housing,” she says.

Pringle Ward Lead Pam Decker says, “Sharing a meal and getting to know some of the young adults at Church @ the Park youth shelter was a wonderful, spiritual experience.”

Church @ the Park assists people experiencing homelessness through a variety of projects, including managed camping, safe parking, and emergency sheltering. Along with housing and food, the young adult residents are able to access education support, life-skills and job training, as well as counseling and other services.

Our shared Sunday meals program isn’t the only way to serve at Church @ the Park. To find out about other opportunities, go to their website at church-at-the-park.org and look at their “Volunteers” tab. Or check out JustServe.org to see Church @ the Park listings there.

In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 14, the Savior says “when thou makest a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors. . .When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed.”

Serving all of God’s children—whatever their life experiences—will not only bring succor to them, it will also bring us closer to Jesus Christ, as we shape our lives around His.