Every Friday between 6 and 7 p.m., 50-plus guests sit down to a warm meal at Grace and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hamden, where volunteers serve up “Dinner for a Dollar” as part of the church’s outreach ministry. The total number of meals served week-to-week varies between 120-180, with some dinners distributed to people who drive up for meals “to go.”
In December 2024, three members from Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church took a closer look at the Dinner for $1 program, which has operated continuously for 13 years and has grown to include other locations, including Hamden Plains United Methodist Church (Saturdays) and Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church (first and third Thursdays). Additional meals are distributed from a food truck at 1935 State St. (Sundays) and at a new location at 323 Circular Ave. one Wednesday a month.
“Volunteering at Dinner for $1 is an easy and fun way to spend a Friday evening,” said Christi Sharon, At-Large Council Representative from Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran. “Volunteers arrive around 5:15 p.m. to pack ‘to go’ meals and plate dinners for guests eating in, as well as help with clean-up.”
Dinner for $1, however, is more than just prepping and serving meals. “Whether you are there to eat, serve, or both, Dinner for $1 is about fellowship and building relationships with people,” she said.
After dinner, guests “grocery shop” from the tables of non-perishable food items along the back wall. Items vary weekly and are free.
It Takes a Village
“It takes a village to set up and run Dinner for $1, and new volunteers are always welcome,” Christi said. “Cooking prep starts at 1 p.m., set-up occurs throughout the afternoon, and preparations for packing and serving starts at 5:15 p.m. Arrive when you can and be part of this vital, upbeat ministry.”
Friday, May 9, was Christi’s first time as one of two “official” cooks. “Cooking for a crowd is definitely a skill and the ‘heavy lifting’ of the Dinner for $1 operation but it, too, was fun,” Christi said. “We had help from three Quinnipiac grad students from Kenya, as well as support from Sue O’Connell, a veteran cook and a member of Grace and St. John’s.”
On June 20, Dinner for $1 plans to hold its annual celebration outside the church at 2927 Dixwell Ave. Hamden, starting at 6 p.m. To celebrate its 14th year, there will be a band or two, and to add to the festive atmosphere, Christ the Good Shepherd has arranged for an ice cream truck to be onsite. The public is invited.
