A warm, home-cooked meal nourishes the body. Everybody deserves to have one, even if only from time to time. For some Lakewood residents, this basic comfort became harder to attain after a recent federal shutdown reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Responding to the need, the City of Lakewood initiated a monthly community meal intended to be a fresh, nourishing, home-cooked alternative to reheated frozen food.
On Nov. 1, 2025, a federal government shutdown cut SNAP benefits by up to 35% per month for many recipients. Immediately, concerns were raised among local food banks and shelters. “We’re here to serve the community,” said Nicole Zierenberg, clinical manager of Human Services for the City of Lakewood.
“There’s been a huge barrier to accessing food, so this was our response when the SNAP benefits were cut. This is one of the ways that we could connect families to the needed food and nutrition.” The city relies on donations to fund the meal, which aims to provide the highest possible quality.
One of the biggest challenges they faced was the cost of food; since they wanted it to be home-cooked and fresh, they would have to dish out a pretty penny. Food costs have been on the rise since COVID-19, a 26.6 percent increase from 2020 to 2025 has brought some concern.
“We wanted home-cooked and fresh food. We didn’t want it to be something that was prepared just to be warm. So there is a higher cost in doing it that way,” said Laura Jaissle, assistant director of human services for the City of Lakewood. The meal included a variety of fresh items, such as salad, soup, chicken, green beans, a baked potato, and a brownie. (Let me say, the meal was delicious.)
All of this food wasn’t prepared out of thin air—it took volunteers. The H2O (Help to Others) program was instrumental in recruiting high school students to help serve their community.
“I really enjoy volunteering here. I love the staff , and I love the rest of the volunteers. It’s just a good community,” said Kylie Fromwiller, a Lakewood High School Sophomore. Volunteers gain a new perspective on their community and witness how their assistance directly helps people in need.
“I think it’s a vibrant volunteer experience,” said Emmie Hutchinson, coordinator of the H2O program here in Lakewood. She and Amy Chozdin are the core recruiters for many of the high school volunteers seen across the city, including at this event.
The meal was hosted at the Cove Community Center, a staple of community life in Lakewood. The space, a former Methodist church built in the late 1960s, was recently renovated in 2019. “We have this beautiful place here, and a beautiful kitchen, that could help fill a need,” Jaissle said. “People also feel comfortable being here, since it’s a community center.” With its vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and original woodwork, the space provides an excellent atmosphere for dinner.
Many of the people at tonight’s meal knew that this was no ordinary Sysco dinner. “This meal here is probably one of the better meals I’ve gone to,” said Anthony, a homeless individual who regularly eats at community meals. “Once the word gets out what the meal was like, it’ll induce more people to come.”
Though organizers were initially uncertain about attendance, the first event successfully brought people together.
These meals mean a lot more to the community than one outside it may understand. “This is great. Lakewood is great. That we all come together,” said Sarah, a Lakewood resident who has lived in the city for 62 years. A warm home-cooked meal really does nourish not only the body but also the soul.
Reach out if you are interested in volunteering at a future event. Donations are also welcome at the Cove Community Center to support the meal!
