By Staff

SIRCH Community Services announced last week that it will again be hosting Lunch Is On Us a free meal on Thursdays at SIRCH Central at 2 Victoria St. in Haliburton.

“Winter can be tough. Below freezing temperatures limited sunlight and higher-than-ever household expenses can leave you feeling pretty down and alone some days” said Gena Robertson executive director of SIRCH in a media release. “Lunch Is On Us lets you meet up with your friends or come and make new ones while having a delicious and healthy lunch at no cost to you.”

The program starts Nov. 7 and runs until Feb. 27 each Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no Lunch Is On Us on Boxing Day Dec. 26.

“Each Thursday Lunch Is On Us will feature a different menu” Jay McIvor SIRCH’s food initiatives co-ordinator said. “For example one week we may serve a hearty chilli with homemade buns and another we’ll serve grilled cheese with bacon and homemade soup – always with a dessert of course. We can serve 50 to 60 people each week. Meals can be eaten in or taken out.”

There is no charge for the lunches thanks to donations gathered through Gifts from the Heart a campaign that runs through the holiday season as well as sponsorships and individual donations.

“It’s our way of thanking and supporting the community we live in and we also are able to offer training opportunities to past graduates of Cook It Up. A donation jar will be available and if you’d like to ‘pay it forward’ we’d appreciate it but there is no expectation – we just want people to come out get warm connect and have some fun” Robertson said.

For more information about Lunch Is On Us visit www.sirch.on.ca/lunchisonus or call 705-457-1742.

If you’d like to donate to Gifts from the Heart which funds Lunch Is On Us as well as many other community programs go to www.sirch.on.ca/gifts.