On a recent Saturday afternoon, a group of high school students and adults from St Theresa of Lisieux and Most Precious Blood churches made the journey to the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence to help prepare and serve dinner to people in need.

The parishes have been volunteering at Cor Unum for five years. Over 15 volunteers, both teenagers and adults took part in this trip. The volunteers washed dish-es, served the meals and bussed tables. At the end of the evening, all of the volunteers pitched in to clean the center, including the bathrooms, before heading back to Dover and Sherborn.

The teenagers delivered 15 sheet cakes and baked breads that were prepared by parishioners from both parishes. The sheet cakes were served for dessert, to the guest that came for dinner. In addition, two teenagers handed each guest baked banana and cranberry bread, in a “to go bag”, as they left the meal center. The guest were so grateful for the treats, it was heart-warming to see the smile on their faces as they were given the bag of homemade bread. Thank you to all the parishioners from both parishes that volunteered their time to bake. Cor Unum, which means “One Heart” in Latin, serves free, nutritious meals to hundreds of children and adults in Lawrence every day, 365 days a year. In Lawrence today, 75 percent of children are at risk for hunger. The need is great, and the parishes of Dover and Sherborn are helping to meet that need.

Cor Unum is a bright, cheerful, center. Each table has a fresh centerpiece and lively music plays throughout the meals. Meals are served “restaurant style”, with volunteer waiters bringing drinks, appetizers, meals and dessert to the guests. With the student volunteers cheerfully serving the over 120 guests, it was a busy place on Saturday night. The teens enthusiastically went about their tasks with smiles on their faces and using their best manners, and many chatted with the guests while they ate dinner. This experience was particularly meaningful for all of the volunteers, especially during the sea-son of Lent, when Christians are called to give alms, which includes doing acts of charity.

To learn more about the Cor Unum Meal Center and the fantastic work they do, and to learn about additional opportunities to get involved, go to their website: CorUnumMealCenter.org