Community Dinner Recognized with Proclamation
- Zoar Lutheran Church
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, our weekly Community Dinner celebrated 15 years of providing a hot meal for anyone in Canby. The inspiration for this ministry came from members Bob and Sally Boonstra who were on an Oregon Synod mission trip to Mexico in the spring when they were challenged by the question, “What will you do in response to what you’ve learned on this trip.” The Boonstra’s gave loving leadership to the ministry for 5 years, then turned over the ministry to Connie Tye and Chris Morgan who have been its heart and soul since 2016.
The ministry is simple. Every Tuesday evening, anyone is welcome to a homemade, fresh, hot dinner. Volunteers from Zoar Lutheran Church prepare the meal and the Canby Kiwanis Club provides volunteers to help serve the meal. Both groups help with cleaning up. Families in the congregation provide homemade cookies, and on June 23 of 2026, dinner included a fresh garden salad with ingredients from the church’s new vegetable garden.
Over the past 15 years, over 75,000 hot meals have been provided by volunteers who have donated over 25,000 hours of community service.
On July 15th, Mayor Brian Hodson presented a proclamation to dinner volunteers from both Zoar and the Canby Kiwanis club.
NOW, THEREFORE, as Mayor of Canby and on behalf of the citizens of our community, I offer our sincere appreciation and thanks to the dozens of volunteers and donors that have provided so much to our neighbors that need a little extra food and companionship, and to Zoar Lutheran Church and the Kiwanis Club of Canby for supporting these volunteers for the past 15 years and for many more years to come.
During the COVID pandemic, meals went from “sit-down” to “pick-up”, but the dinners never stopped. Today, both options are available.
Thanks to donations, some very thrifty shopping, and a 15 year long association with Clackamas County Gleaners, meals cost an average of about $1.05 to prepare. Just over $7,500 will provide 140 meals a week for the entire year.
Link to Canby Herald article: CLICK HERE
Community Dinner Recognized with Proclamation
