“It started out as a calling from God, to feed people,” said Julie Rathjen. Rathjen is a founding member of Five Loaves Iowa alongside Michelle Evans, Polly Hineman, and Charlene Kenkel, who have set out to provide a weekly community meal and fellowship time, free to all.

The inaugural meal will be held on June 5, and will continue for the foreseeable future. Serving time will be from 4:30-6 or until gone. On the menu first is loose meat sandwiches, baked beans, pasta salad, carrots, and dessert.

The group started arranging plans in March.

Rathjen stated her vision and ideas for the meals.

“So the whole theory of it is that if we break bread as a community, it brings people together and, you know, people have a chance to discuss community things and meet people in the community. They might not otherwise meet. And just, you know, have some fellowship time together.”

Offering that the meal was for anyone and everyone, Rathjen continued.

“Nothing makes children feel better than breaking bread with their teacher and their dentist and their minister and, you know, all the people that surround them in their lives, their neighbors. So, it’s for all ages, all ages all walks of life.”

Aiming for a different menu each week, the group has plenty of ideas. One special celebration will be help once a month for Birthdays. Birthday cake will be available the first Thursday of each month to give a special time for those celebrating.

With a more than positive online response, and plenty of work to be done to pull off their grand idea, Five Loaves Iowa looks to start out on their mission of feeding the hungry and offering community fellowship. To stay updated with Five Loaves Iowa, visit their facebook page or reach out to 5loavesiowa@gmail.com.