When a historic church in downtown New London collapsed last week, it took with it a place for those less fortunate to receive a hot meal every weekday.
“We immediately gathered together and said, OK, we have to make sure this breakfast program continues. We average about 70 people a day, it’s been going on for 20 years, and people need food,” Jeanne Milstein, director of human services for the city, said.
The city called up the nearby Salvation Army and asked if they could step in to help.
“We felt like it was a natural thing to step in and say hey, Engaging Heaven Church, we can help you guys out,” said Capt. Brandon Gonzalez-Cottrell, commanding officer at the Salvation Army.
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The meals that are served every weekday morning will continue at the Governor Winthrop Boulevard location, starting at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Gonzalez-Cottrell said they welcomed 50 people on Monday morning.
“Right now, we’re in what would be the Salvation Army’s chapel,” he said, showing NBC Connecticut around their space. “This transforms each morning into the breakfast space. There would be tables with pastry, and coffee, and juice, and there would also be to-go boxes with hot meals.”
The church that collapsed on Thursday afternoon was built in 1810 and housed Engaging Heaven Church, which owns the building, and First Congregational Church
The steeple and roof collapsed around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and the building fell in on itself, rather than onto the street or nearby properties, which include City Hall and dormitories for Connecticut College students.
The Salvation Army said the church served around 70 people breakfast every weekday morning.
On Friday, the day after the collapse, breakfast continued to be served without a second thought.
“We didn’t miss a beat,” Milstein said. “Our New London Police Department purchased and dropped off 75 breakfast sandwiches along with juice and coffee. We didn’t even serve breakfast late.”
They’ll continue to do so at their new temporary location until the church rebuilds. Anyone is welcome - no questions asked.
“We all have the opportunity to go and sit at our tables and eat a hot meal and know that it’s there,” said Gonzalez-Cottrell. “For some of these folks, they don’t have that necessary guarantee.”
The Salvation Army said they’re in need of more volunteers to help with the meal program. Anyone interested can give them a call at (860) 443-6409.
Breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
The Salvation Army of New London is located at 11 Governor Winthrop Boulevard in New London.
