As Brad Shimmens handed a boxed meal to David Crane on Sunday afternoon outside of Dulle-Hamilton Tower Apartment, Crane fist-bumped Shimmens as he thanked him.
"These are good people here," Crane said. "Remarkable people."
As part of the fourth annual World Day of the Poor, St. Peter Catholic Church gave away 320 meals at Dulle-Hamilton and three other locations in town: the Immaculate Conception Church parking lot, the Catholic Charities parking lot and the Salvation Army.
It was the third time St. Peter has participated in the international program started by Pope Francis in 2016.
In the past, the church held the event at its Selinger Center. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had people pick them up from the four locations this year.
The meals consisted of pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad or mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and a cookie, brownie or piece of pie. Each meal came with a bottled water.
Event coordinator Diane Struemph said they also handed out kits with toiletries, first aid products and protective masks.
Some 20-30 volunteers distributed the meals Sunday, and Struemph said they miss being able to eat and socialize with the meal recipients this year, but they hope to return to that model next year.
Volunteer Christa Vizner said she and her 86-year-old mother help out with the Meals 4 U program at the Clarke Senior Center. This, she said, was another way to serve.
"It's a good opportunity to give back to the community," she said.
Crane said he was sitting in his apartment when he heard someone was giving out free barbecue meals outside Dulle-Hamilton.
"There are so many wonderful people in this world. It's remarkable," he said. "God just blesses us every day."