Wednesday Lunch a Huge Success

No one knew how many hungry individuals would come for the Wednesday lunches that Hope’s Corner began offering on April 8. Expectations were cautiously optimistic, but it wasn’t clear the lunch would attract a significant crowd. Turns out, the demand for to-go lunches on Wednesdays has exceeded anyone’s wildest dreams.

Hope’s Corner launched the Wednesday lunch service as part of efforts to better support homeless and low-income individuals hit hard by the fallout from COVID-19. Initially, the turnout was small, with 44 guests coming for the first lunch. However, word spread quickly about the lunch and the drive-thru option that we introduced on April 15. The popularity of the lunch has increased steadily to the point that we’re sometimes providing over 100 to-go lunches onsite. In addition to these lunches, volunteers deliver 100 lunches to RV residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The success of the Wednesday lunch service is due in part to faith-based groups that provide volunteers who help prepare and distribute the lunches. These groups also sponsor the lunch by pitching in to help pay for the food included in the lunches. Each lunch includes a hot item, such as a hamburger/veggie burger or burrito, drink, snacks, and fruit. 

Hope’s Corner has continued to coordinate with other service providers in Mountain View. Wednesday was chosen as the day for a second Hope’s Corner meal to complement the Community Services Agency’s food pantry on Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays. 

Responses from Hope’s Corner’s guests have been very positive. President Leslie Carmichael stated, “We know there are a lot of people who have been laid off and have no income coming in. They tell us the additional Wednesday meal from Hope’s Corner provides them a meal or two that they might otherwise have to skip.”

Thank you to all who have made Wednesday lunches such a great success!