Mt. Calvary A.M.E. Church Provides Free Hot Meals Every Wednesday to Homeless Community

Mt. Calvary A.M.E. Church in Towson has been serving hot meals to the homeless community every Wednesday for several years. The Harvest Meals for the Hungry program operates out of the church’s Family Life Center, where volunteers prepare and serve a variety of meals, including chicken, meatloaf, broccoli, rice, and other side dishes. The meals are provided free of charge to anyone who attends, offering a consistent source of nourishment to those in need.

Eric Becker, a regular attendee, described the church as a place where faith, hope, and charity converge. “When you’re homeless and you’ve lost everything, only three things remain: faith, hope and charity. This place has all three,” he said. The church, which has served the community for 164 years, sees its meal program as an extension of its broader mission to make lives different through acts of mercy and service.

Reverend Bobbie B. Cox, the church’s pastor, emphasized that the program is one of many ways Mt. Calvary seeks to impact the community positively. “Our theme is making lives different, and this is just one of the ways at Mt. Calvary that we try to make lives different,” he said. The church’s commitment to service reflects a long-standing tradition of outreach and care for the vulnerable.

The need for such programs has grown significantly in recent years. According to the Assistance Center of Towson Churches, a coalition that includes Mt. Calvary, over 25,000 people were assisted with food in Baltimore County in 2017. Many households are only one or two paychecks away from homelessness, making programs like Harvest Meals for the Hungry increasingly vital.

Bonnie Epps-Burgess, the program administrator, noted the program’s growth over the years. “Our first full year, when we first served 1,238 plates of food, and that was in 2015, in 2018 we jumped up to over 2,500 plates of food, so that will tell you something about the need in Towson,” she said. The church also partners with local organizations to provide additional resources, such as clothing and shoes, to those in need.

Beyond food, the program offers a space for connection and support. Volunteers often bring in speakers to address various needs, and the church’s Sunday services are filled with members who contribute their time and resources. Epps-Burgess credited the success of the program to the support of the community and the partnership with the Assistance Center of Towson Churches.

Attendees like Eric Becker have expressed gratitude for the meals and the care provided. “It’s the best meal in town. It’s nutritious, it’s well balanced and they even take into consideration about people with special health needs — diabetes and things like that for their menus,” Becker said. The program continues to serve as a tangible expression of compassion and neighbor-love in the community.

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