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A Faithful Contribution: Generous women provide free weekly breakfast

Free Mission Breakfast held every Saturday morning at local church
June 16, 2016

Every Saturday morning from 7-10 a.m., you can find Jennie Hansen, Jerri Padgett, and Yvonne Martz serving breakfast with a smile at the Groome United Methodist Church Breakfast Mission in Lewes.  The three are often described as “angels,” as they are dedicated to cooking free, full fare breakfasts to anyone in the community in need of a meal. 

The idea was originally formed by Hansen and Padgett, who have been running the breakfasts religiously for about five years.  A few years in, their friend Martz joined the team.  Now the three women continue to be dedicated to serving the free breakfasts once every week. 

“One day I woke up, and I was just inspired to start hosting the breakfasts.  When God tells you to do something, you do it,” says Hansen.

The women provide all the food themselves, gathering ingredients from various places, including Byler’s Grocery Outlet.  Their menu includes classic breakfast dishes such as eggs, French toast, potatoes, scrapple, sausage, and bacon.  Hansen says she also makes her own homemade biscuits to offer to their visitors.

“I can go home and cook myself a nice breakfast, but some people can’t.  A lot of people who come are living in their cars,” says Hansen.  “The rest are just people who like to come in.  Some people like our company, and some just like the company of other people and sit and talk.” 

The breakfasts attracted only a few people initially. “It would be big if we had six people,” says Padgett.  Now more than 25 people come to the breakfasts regularly.  Hansen says they hit an all-time high with 60 people in one day. 

“And it’s open to the public.  We do get people who aren’t just homeless,” says Padgett.  All are welcome to come to the breakfasts.  The breakfasts bring in a lot of usual visitors, but many new people stop in, as well.    

The three women divide the duties of cooking and taking orders while socializing with their guests.  There is never a dull moment—the three women are guaranteed to brighten anyone’s morning with their laughter and fun conversation.  

“Everything about this is rewarding. I enjoy doing it. I love to cook,” says Hansen.

 The faithful women generously plan to continue the breakfasts for as long as they can.  

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