Minnesota Prairie Roots

POSTED ON TREES in woods edging the Straight River Trail in Faribault, two duplicate blue signs drew my attention. I paused in my walk to read the notices slipped into protective plastic sleeves. And that is how I learned about “Wednesday Warm-Up” at Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church.

Since December, this Faribault congregation has opened its doors from 8- 11 a.m. every Wednesday to anyone wanting a free hot breakfast. They’re focusing on the underprivileged and those experiencing homelessness, according to John Streiff, mission outreach chairman for Fourth Avenue UMC.

A few people come for the morning meal, which changes weekly. One Wednesday the featured food may be French toast, the next week biscuits and gravy, eggs or pancakes with a meat, fruit, doughnuts/toast and beverages. Most of the food is donated.

This is not, Streiff emphasizes, about “drafting” people into church. Rather, it’s about “what Jesus would do…to show what unconditional love is,” he said.

And that’s exactly what I heard in my brief phone conversation with Streiff about the Wednesday morning breakfast. I could hear the compassion in his voice as he mentioned a couple who came to eat and who are living out of their car. Some are down on their luck. Some share their personal stories, others don’t.

If anyone needs additional assistance, the church will do what they can by directing them to resources and/or providing tangible help such as gift cards for gas. “All we’re trying to do is share the love of God,” Streiff said.

In online videos, Fourth Avenue UMC pastor, the Rev. Shawn Stoll, talks about building community and friendships over food at the Wednesday Warm-Up breakfasts. The breakfast is open to anyone, “regardless of who you are or where you slept,” he says.

Streiff echoed that message as he talked about opening the church doors for people to come in, warm up and visit (if they wish) over breakfast. Fourth Avenue will continue serving breakfast weekly through the end of February and perhaps beyond. Streiff noted that it takes time to build trust between people.

I love this community outreach, something Fourth Avenue UCC has done previously with a free Christmas dinner open to anyone. Congregants understand the importance of building community and of meeting people where they are at in life. And of serving.

Wednesday Warm-Up breakfasts provide for a basic human need—food. This faith community is taking biblical directives to feed the hungry and actually doing that, not simply talking and praying about it. And for that action, that compassion, that love, that service, I feel deep gratitude.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling