Twin Cities Church Holds Services In A Food Truck
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – A Twin Cities church is running exclusively out of a food truck.
Shobi's Table Lutheran Church started in April and parks along Payne Avenue in St. Paul every Thursday.
Former social worker Pastor Margaret Kelly said this is her first role as a pastor, and it is an experiment in making it easier for people to go to church and get a meal.
"There are four things that are issues, transportation, healthy food, meaningful work and meaningful community. This is our answer to all those four things," Kelly said.
About 75 to 100 people usually line up before the food truck to get some calzones and water during lunchtime.
Kelly said most people who come by are in danger or missing meals, and could be on the verge of homelessness.
"When we nurture each other, when we take care for each other, we do better," Kelly said.
The volunteer church staff also holds prayer services between making and serving the meals.
Kelly said the staff members have also been through hard times.
"Some have been on the streets for several years at a time; some have been in abusive relationships, some in prison. They understand the community we serve because they are the community we serve," Kelly said.
The food truck used for the church was donated by a local ministry, but Kelly said she hopes to one day be able to have her own food truck and paid positions through a nonprofit.
The food truck church has not been through a Minnesota winter, but Kelly said she will keep serving through the winter.
"We are going to figure it out. We are about being flexible," she said.