The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries is an interfaith service that provides food and fellowship to those in need and educates our community on hunger and poverty.Our Chester Meal Site
Meal site location - Sundays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
United Church of Chester, 29 West Main Street, Chester
Jen Rice, Meal Site leader, and site coordinators, with the help and dedication of many volunteers, provide fellowship, plus cook and serve an average of 80 meals per month.
Here is a snapshot of just one of several of the Chester meal site teams:
The Robida Family of the United Church of Chester serving dinner on July 13th, 2014. (l-r) Sheila, Justin, Nate, Matt and Gene Robida.
Date of Visit: July 13th, 2014
Meal Time: Dinner from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Today's Team: The Robida Family at The United Church of Chester
When: Once a Quarter
Team History: Originally volunteers as part of the church's Youth Group, three years ago the Robidas decided to form their own Team. Sometimes they are also joined by the McKenna & Robertson families. They've created a wonderful family tradition of helping others!
Special Meal: This spring they had a special cook-out for Memorial Day. The Robidas brought their own brand new grill down to the church, and the guests enjoyed grilled chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs, along with other summer treats.
Today's Menu: Baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, garden salad, fresh bread, peach pie and ice cream.
Something Special: Every week a local bakery, Cozy Corner Bake Shoppe, donates a large assortment of baked goods and pastries that guests can take home.
Nate Robida
Team: The Robida Family
Town: Chester
Years on the Team: 3
Job: I do anything - help cook, set up and serve.
Favorite way to help: I like to peel potatoes.
Favorite pastime: I like to ride roller coasters. My favorite one is “Bizarro” at Six Flags New England.
Sheila Robida
Team: The Robida Family
Town: Chester
Years on the Team: 3
Jobs: Plan menu, help cook & serve
Favorite thing to cook: I love to prepare pork roast with stuffing & gravy.
Fun Fact: I like to knit.
How did your Team get started? We belong to this church (The United Church of Chester), and in the beginning our kids helped cook the meal with the Youth Group, and we helped. Later we decided to make our own family team.
Matt Robida
Team: The Robida Family
Town: Chester
Years on the Team: 3
Jobs: Anything that needs to be done - cooking, setting up and serving.
Favorite activity: I play a lot of baseball - shortstop and 3rd base.
Why you joined the Team: My church and my family.
Gene Robida
Team: The Robida Family
Town: Chester
Years on the Team: 3
Jobs: I’m the cook!
Favorite thing to cook: We like to cook a big Thanksgiving Dinner, but at some other time of year. We make everything...turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, all the extras. But we will do it in the spring or summer instead.
Favorite pastime: I like to go skiing and be outdoors.
How did you start the Team? It was a family decision.
Directions to Chester Meal Site
From I-95
- I-95 to Route 9 North (Exit 68).
- Route 9 North to Middletown.
- Take Exit 6 for CT-148 toward Chester/Hadlyme.
- Turn right at CT-148 E/W Main Street.
- Destination will be on the right.