Neighborhood Philanthropy: More Than a Meal
Oxford is host to some wonderful non-profit organizations that provide for our community in so many ways. We want to provide a glimpse of these organizations each month. More Than a Meal was started 12 years ago by a few like-minded women who desired to have a hot meal available each week for those who needed it in Oxford. They decided to make it “more than just a meal” and offer tutoring services and necessary toiletries at each meal. The hope was to begin a fellowship of community as they shared a meal together each week.
Kristy Bridgers, one of the founding members, recently shared, “We began serving in local churches before the city graciously donated the Stone Center to us to use each week. The powerful outpouring of support from Oxford, the University and countless other groups and organizations has created the continued dream of this vision. We hope everyone that walks in our doors each Tuesday feels like they are coming into a warm meal and time to connect with others. We are always stronger together, and More Than a Meal has been such an example of that to me all these years later. I’m beyond grateful of all the support we’ve received to feed the body and soul in Oxford.”
More Than a Meal provides a weekly meal, usually donated by a local church or other local organization, to its guests each Tuesday night at 5:00 pm at the Stone Center. The group providing the meal serves the guests. During the meal, there is usually either a speaker or organization that provides useful information or services. For example, eye screenings, health checks, simple financial planning, Department of Human Services, Oxford food pantry, flu shots or GRE study help, to name a few. While these services are happening, there are also volunteers who provide childcare, tutoring, arts and crafts, music or puppet shows.
More Than a Meal is a 501(c)(3) and is financially supported by local businesses, groups, and individuals who give over and over again. You can donate here or contact their Outreach Coordinator & Administrator, Sarah Beth Gary, by emailing mtamoxford@gmail.com to see what toiletries are needed.
This Thanksgiving, More Than a Meal and Ole Miss Athletics are partnering to pass out Thanksgiving boxes to guests on Tuesday, November 14th. The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy recently gave flu shots to guests who wanted one.
We are so grateful to More Than a Meal and their weekly sponsors and volunteers who give so freely and provide a meal, special services, programming and community to those who need it the most in Oxford. Meals are served every Tuesday night that the Oxford School District is in session at the Stone Center located at 423 Washington Avenue. If you wish to donate or give of your time, please contact Sarah Beth at mtamoxford@gmail.com.
