If you’ve enjoyed an afternoon on Willy Street, you’ve likely passed by Luke House. Their mission is simple: to feed the hungry no questions asked. If you haven’t heard of Luke House, it is because they go about their mission work quietly, serving free meals nine times a week, year-round, rain or shine. At each meal Luke House serves between 60 and 120 guests. All guests and volunteers are treated with dignity and respect, a major value of the Luke House. This organization has been feeding Madison’s hungry since 1986. Guests show up and are fed, no questions asked. The facility is set up like a restaurant with volunteers serving a healthy meal and beverages to guests.
The atmosphere is very pleasant, and the guests have a chance to socialize. Among the guests are Madison’s poorest. Luke House does not solve all the problems encountered by the poor, but they do their best to bring food and comfort to those who need it most. One guest said, “This free meal site produces good home-cooked church-basement food and warm feelings. You feel like you’re at a potluck but no one expects you to bring anything. For just a moment I felt loved and accepted.” Luke House does this with the help of volunteers from the community and approximately 30 different local churches. It receives no money from the city, county, state or federal governments. All funding comes from donations.
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For more information on their great work, visit lukehousemadison.org.
Thank you to Paulette Harder for letting us adapt her heartfelt article.
