Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Some regard the summer Veggie Lunch as one of the University of Kansas’ summer secrets while others just consider it a tasty lunch with a free sauna.
Veggie Lunch at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave., doesn’t just end when the school year ends but continues to serve throughout the summer semester.
Veggie Lunch offers vegetarian food cooked by volunteers and donated bread from both WheatFields Bakery and Cafe, 904 Vermont St., and Great Harvest Bread Co., 807 Vermont St. Veggie Lunch requests donations, any amount that a guest can afford to give, which helps cover the cost of the food.
Matt Petrie, Shawnee junior, eats at the veggie lunch Thursday afternoon at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave. Veggie lunch will still be available every Thursday beginning at 11:30 a.m. during summer classes.
Some people put in $20, Holcombe said. Some don’t put any in. As long as the program breaks even, it doesn’t matter to him.
Reverend Thad Holcombe, ECM campus minister, said that fall and spring Veggie Lunch normally sees about 110 to 130 guests every Thursday afternoon, while the summer lunches, still on Thursdays, only see about 30-40. Holcombe attributes the decrease in numbers to the summer heat and the lack of bodies around campus.
Mike Parrott, Austin graduate student and occasional volunteer cook, said the cooking process could be a “daunting” task, but there were always people to help out.
Parrott said he volunteers for many reasons, one of which is because he thinks of it as helping others by putting food back into the community.
“It gives you an opportunity to learn about different cultures,” Parrott said. “It’s kind of a perspective-broadening experience.”
This has nothing to do with just one culture or religion, Holcombe said. He said sitting around a table is important to many people because it’s about accepting everyone for who they are and learning from each other.
And the diverse groups of people that Veggie Lunch attracts are what some people like the most.
Gideon VanRiette, Iola senior and administrative coordinator of Veggie Lunch, said he’s been coming every week for a few years, and said that the different types of people who come are the most interesting part of the whole program. He also said that the heat may keep some people away in the summer, but joked that July would be even hotter inside the ECM.
Sarah Dees, Lawrence senior and former coordinator for Veggie Lunch, said that it was a lot more laid back in the summer because there were a lot less people. Dees said she liked the relaxed setting of the summer months, but also enjoyed the excitement of the fall and spring semesters.
Holcombe has been involved with the program since its inception in 1999. Then it was just a small gathering, Holcombe said, but it grew into something bigger.
Students aren’t the only ones to attend Veggie Lunch, either. Professors and Lawrence residents are also frequent visitors.
Richard League, Lawrence resident, also remembered the days when Veggie Lunch was little more than a few friends eating together. But he still comes every week “like clockwork.”
League said he really enjoyed coming and mingling with people of different ages.
“I love it,” League said. “Some people call me a kid at heart. I’ve always been that way.”
But overall, League said he just liked the whole experience in general.
“They’re a very special group,” League said. “They’re very warm and friendly.”
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