St. John’s United Women in Faith host a “Thank You” luncheon for Hatteras Island Meals volunteers

Volunteers with the local organization Hatteras Island Meals (HIM) were treated to a big community lunch and an opportunity to get together and reconnect, thanks to a “Thank You” luncheon that was hosted by the St. John United Methodist’s Church’s group, the United Women in Faith.

The lunch was held on Monday afternoon at the St. John church in Avon, and more than 30 HIM volunteers came to the event to enjoy a spread of homemade fare, which included ample side dishes, sweet tea, and more than a half dozen dessert options.

“Cathy Deimer is one of the [HIM] drivers and organizers, and she mentioned that there were several people talking about when they used to do a big meal a long time ago, and it was really nice to get together,” said Teresa Black of the United Women in Faith organization. “So we talked among ourselves and said ‘Well, we can do that!’”

“We do about 300 meals on Thursdays for our community dinners, so this wasn’t very difficult to put together,” added United Women in Faith’s Denise Gaskins.

Attendees socialized at tables topped with vases of flowers, and the big portions of homemade cuisine ensured that nobody left the luncheon hungry.

“HIM has quite a presence here on Hatteras Island and it’s wonderful for all our volunteers to be recognized,” said Cathy Deimer of HIM. “We’re so grateful for this event, and for the [United Women in Faith] for letting us come together and have such a delicious meal.”

Hatteras Island Meals (HIM) provides nutritious meals to elderly or homebound clients on Hatteras Island, and the all-volunteer organization technically began in 1987 as just local folks preparing meals in their own homes for neighbors in need.

Meals are provided by restaurants throughout the island, and HIM has a team of about 40 volunteers who make the deliveries five days a week.

Currently, HIM serves roughly 30 residents throughout the island, and the organization is primarily funded by its annual raffle, which had a record-breaking year in 2022, garnering an estimated $41,000 for the organization.

While the volunteer work of delivering meals is generally a solitary activity, the HIM attendees at Monday’s event were glad to have a chance to get together, (outside of the annual fall fundraiser), and break bread during the winter season. Volunteers also picked up homemade Valentines’ Day cards and candy to deliver to their homebound clients, which were provided by the youth groups at St. John as well as Our Lady of the Seas Catholic Church in Buxton.

Based on the big turnout and success of Monday’s luncheon, the members of United Women in Faith said they would be delighted to make the “Thank You” lunch for HIM an annual occurrence.

“It’s so nice having all these people here, and everybody is chitchatting and eating and having a good time,” said Black, “so we’ll be very glad to do this again.”