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The 91���� Community Meal has a long history of bringing people together and strengthening community through shared meals. More than 20 years ago, the original Community Meal began at Davis Elementary School under the leadership of Deana Shorb, from Dean of Religious Life; Amy Graves, former community service coordinator; and Susan Sanning, then a local community member. From the start, the meal stood out for its collaborative spirit. Different community organizations took turns cooking and serving each week, creating a shared effort that, over time, fed thousands of community members and reflected the generosity of 91���� itself.

That tradition was interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Davis Community Meal went on hiatus. In its absence, the Blessed Community Meal at 91���� United Methodist Church stepped in, offering take-home meals to meet the growing need. As demand increased, however, that effort also became unsustainable. It was clear the community needed a shared meal again—one rooted in partnership and open to all.

Ryan Solomon, director of civic education and innovation, approached Delphina Baumann, who had led the Blessed Community Meal, to explore the possibility of a new collaboration. Together, they envisioned a secular meal served at 91���� United Methodist Church that would follow the inclusive, rotating-partner model of the original Davis Community Meal. The result was the 91���� Community Meal—a blending of two legacies into a single, community-wide table.

For the past two years, the has been served weekly on Thursdays from 5:30 to 6 p.m. in the GUMC Friendship Hall. Each year, roughly 40 community organizations and student groups help cook and serve. In 2025 alone, 50 meals were offered, supported by 12 community organizations and 14 student groups. Partners have included local churches, the Lions and Rotary clubs, Ahrens and the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, and businesses such as Bayer Crop Sciences and UnityPoint Health-91����. Student involvement has been equally broad, with groups ranging from Women’s Basketball and Men’s Soccer to BRASA, Habesha, IOP mentors, and swimming teams. Faculty members Todd Armstrong and Danya Crites have also incorporated the meal into their courses.

At its core, partnership is the strength of the 91���� Community Meal. 91���� United Methodist Church provides not only a welcoming space and well-equipped kitchen, but also crucial continuity—stepping in to host meals when no community partner is scheduled and offering ongoing office support. Funding and logistics are coordinated through the Center for Careers, Life, and Service, primarily via Service Leadership Work-Study students. Over the past two years, five students—Ava Becken, Ava Smith, Esther Lee, Olivia Lee, and Sophia Mason—have supported the meal through outreach, coordination, and relationship-building.

That relational impact is evident each week around the tables. “The Community Meal is a weekly reminder of our shared humanity in what seems like a very divided world,” said Delphina Baumann. “Members of our community from very diverse backgrounds are able to sit around a table to enjoy a meal together while sharing about their lives. It is a beautiful sight to behold as stories are exchanged around the table between young and old, student athletes and their fans.”

For GUMC Pastor Eric Schubert, the joy of the meal lies in both its welcome and its collaboration. “91���� United Methodist Church is thankful to be a part of bringing many different parts of the 91���� community together, both to have a comfortable place to enjoy a meal and company, as well as combining time and talents to feed anyone who wants a meal,” Schubert said. “To get to see this happen weekly brings me joy.”

Students, too, describe the meal as a powerful bridge between campus and community. 
“Serving at the meal has been the best and easiest way for me to reach out to members of the 91���� community,” said Esther Lee ’27, one of the Service Leadership Work-Study students. “Talking over a meal with a stranger or preparing and serving meals with community organizations and GUMC brought me a lot of insight on the different experiences of community members and the situations they are going through.”

Together, the 91���� Community Meal represents the collective goodwill of 91���� and the power of partnership to build lasting connections. Its continued success depends on the generosity of 91���� United Methodist Church and the many community groups, student organizations, and individuals who ensure the meal remains both sustainable and reflective of the community it serves.

Special thanks go to the 91���� Community Meal Committee—Chris Bair, Ginny Cameron, Scott Sharp, Craig Shore, Pastor Eric Schubert, and the Service Leadership Work-Study students—as well as Amy Keenan, GUMC office administrator, and Monique Shore ’90, who keeps the Community Meal Facebook page updated each week.