FARMINGTON — Some diners braved the snowstorm Wednesday for a bowl of hot fish chowder at Trinity United Methodist Church on the Farmington Falls Road.

Members of the church are once again offering a free meal, the Loaves and Fishes Luncheon, every Wednesday from Jan. 9 to March 27.  The meal is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. unless school is canceled due to weather.

“No school, no chowder,” organizer Joan Farrington said.

It’s a winter tradition started in 1998. Last week, on the first Wednesday of this year’s meal, there was a large attendance, Farrington said. 

“We ran out of chowder and biscuits and unfortunately had to turn a few people away,” she said.

Two large pots of fish chowder are prepared each week. More was prepared this week because of last week’s numbers. As snow fell through the noon hour, a smaller gathering came in from the cold to enjoy the meal and fellowship around the tables.

Although the meals are offered free of charge, many make a donation that church members give to support area missions. The funds go to the Farmington Area Ecumenical Heating Fund, ECU-HEAT, which supplies emergency deliveries of 50 gallons of heating oil to homes in Franklin County. Last year about $1,600 was given to the fund from the three months of meals served once a week.

abryant@sunjournal.com