OTISFIELD — A Steering Committee will hold a public meeting at the Town Hall later this month to discuss plans for continuing the successful community luncheons that have been held over the past several months.

The committee will discuss plans for the upcoming months and share individual survey results from these luncheons at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

More than 75 people have attended each of three community lunches in the unheated Community Hall. The lunches were initially set up by the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church to help neighbors meet neighbors. The luncheons were so successful that organizers say they want to continue the program but have no space.

Although plans are under way by the town to make the hall a four-season facility, it will not be accessible this winter.

Over the past three months members of the Otisfield community have served more than 143 individuals who attended at least one of the scheduled monthly luncheons. Attendees talked while eating a free luncheon of salads, sandwiches, pulled pork and desserts.

Steering Committee member Elaine Doble-Verrill said previously that the luncheons have served an important need in the community because of economic and social uncertainties, particularly those affecting the elderly.

Committee members said that any Otisfield resident who has a desire to be a part of this project and its future should attend the meeting. The committee hopes that folks will come with energy, ideas and solutions, as well as proposals for potential speakers and presentations for future luncheons.

The program was developed in response to a church assessment, part of the Community Missional Learning Experience through the American Baptist Churches of America, that showed many people were dealing with socialization issues and a feeling of isolation, members of the Steering Committee said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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