BARAGA – The Let’s Eat program to offer free meals began almost three years ago, and now it has expanded to Baraga, according to co-founder Bill Binroth.

Binroth said he and Rick Buis from Canterbury House near Michigan Technological University got the idea to start the program after learning that many people who may be eligible for food assistance weren’t getting any.

“He and I kicked it off,” he said.

The first Let’s Eat meal was at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chassell, Binroth said. Next, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Let’s Eat II) joined the program, and now St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Baraga (Let’s Eat III) will conduct its first meal from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 13. The meals there will be on the second Sunday of each month. At Holy Trinity, the meals are served the third Sunday, and at Gloria Dei, meals are served every fourth Sunday of the month. All meals are served from 4 to 6 p.m.

Binroth said there is no means test or religion requirement to receive a meal, and anyone can attend.

“It’s open to all,” he said. “It’s not a religious event.”

Some older people come to the meals for companionship as well as the meals, Binroth said.

Food for the meals are bought at local supermarkets at a discount price, Binroth said. The food for the Gloria Dei meals comes from Pat’s Foods in Hancock. For the St. Ann’s meal, Larry’s Market in L’Anse is the source, and for the Holy Trinity meals, Tadych’s Econo Foods in Houghton provides the ingredients.

There are discussions going on to expand to other locations for the Let’s Eat meals, Binroth said.

“Others may come to join us,” he said.

Volunteers start organizing the meals about two weeks before they’re offered deciding who will do the shopping, cooking and clean up, but it isn’t all drudgery.

“Our volunteers have fun,” he said.

Binroth said the Let’s Eat program has a good relationship with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, and volunteers follow all health department regulations regarding food preparation and cooking area cleanliness.

“We do train our volunteers in health department regulations,” he said.

Some of the Let’s Eat volunteers are Joe Brisson, Deacon John Cadeau, Fr. Corey Litzner, Pastor John Autio, Sharon Eklund, Tracey Alessandroni, Pastor Julie Belew, and Dennis Karvakko.

Let’s Eat accepts donations, Binroth said. A sponsorship is $200 and a co-sponsorship is $100. To donate, call Binroth at 481-3220.