Lost and Found Cafe offers Food and Fellowship

o Community Church of God

Free pancake breakfasts are served Saturdays, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Free spaghetti dinners are served on the last Friday of each month, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The church is located at 750 Sixth St., Washougal.

Contact: Lloyd Ward, 835-8208.

o Lost and Found Cafe

Mondays and Thursdays, at 6 p.m., at the social hall at Zion Lutheran Church,

824 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.

No cost, but donations are accepted.

Contact: Nancy Wilson, 834-4181

o Loaves & Fishes (lunches for seniors)

Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m., at Washougal Community Center, 1681 “C” St.

Friday, 11:30 a.m., at Camas Community Center,

1718 S.E. Seventh Ave.

The suggested donation is $3 per person age 60 and older, as well as caregivers, dependents and spouses younger than 60.

There will be no meal service Friday, Dec. 24 or Dec. 31.

Contact: Ross Jonak, 210-5666.

o Meals on Wheels (for home bound individuals)

Lunches are delivered Monday through Friday.

The suggested donation is $3 per meal.

There will be no meal service Friday, Dec. 24 or Dec. 31.

Contact: Ross Jonak, 210-5666.

When entering the social hall at Zion Lutheran Church, it could be a challenge to determine who is benefitting more from the Lost and Found Cafe — the volunteers serving food or individuals enjoying the complimentary dinners.

Charles Shaver has been eating at the cafe for two years. He is a retired farmer from North Dakota who moved to Washougal six years ago.

“It is wonderful and real good food,” Shaver said regarding the cafe. “It helps a lot with the grocery bill.”

On Thursday, there were two individuals who heard renditions of “Happy Birthday” sung in their honor. Dinner for the more than 50 attendees included barbecue pork sandwiches, salad, baked beans, pears, chips and cookies, as well as juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Cindy Emerson, of Vancouver, lived in Washougal for 19 years and visits with one of her former neighbors, Susan terHorst, at the cafe.

“I love it,” Emerson said. “It’s a blessing to have a hot meal. It is nice to meet people here.”

TerHorst is a former day care worker and home service aide for seniors.

“This is a good place to eat and socialize,” she said. “It’s really good they do this for people. There are so many of us who do not have enough food because the money runs out.

“They don’t turn anyone away,” terHorst added.

Sher Arnott, of Portland, has been dining at the Lost and Found Cafe for approximately one year. She eats with her husband Larry Ferguson, son Eric Kingston, and her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, of Fern Prairie.

“These are good friends and family,” Arnott said. “I enjoy the company.

“This helps out with the budget, and it’s a chance to get away from the kitchen. The volunteers are very nice. I like the way they pray before they serve the meals.”

Frank Goheen, of Camas, has been a volunteer at the Lost and Found Cafe since 2004. It started at Camas Church of the Nazarene seven years ago.

He helps set up and clean up the cafe.

“I enjoy being of service,” Goheen said.

He is among the volunteers who are members of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, in Camas.

Volunteer Janet Kurkoski appreciated hearing Emerson and terHorst talk about the great food.

There is a warm spot in my heart,” she said. “It is nice of them to say.

“We realize people come not just for food, but for socializing,” Kurkoski added. “We feed the spirit as well as the tummy.”

Nancy Wilson, executive director of the Inter-Faith Treasure House, said the cafe is a Treasure House outreach program.

“We provide the administrative work, the volunteer coordinator and the food,” she said. “Zion lets us use their building to feed our residents.”

Donations can be made to the Lost & Found Cafe, P.O. Box 815, Camas, WA 98607.