Made With Love: How One Church Kitchen Became a Model for Feeding the Community
When Chef Patricia Riddle—"Chef Patty" to everyone who knows her—steps into the kitchen at Old South Union Church, she’s not just cooking, she’s leading a team that's feeding a community. Each week, she and a group of dedicated volunteers prepare hundreds of scratch-made, heat-and-eat meals for Weymouth residents. They call it Made With Love Meals. And once you see it in action, there’s no better name for it.
What began as a partnership between the Weymouth Food Pantry and Old South Union Church has grown into a replicable model of community nourishment. At its center is something simple, but powerful: a small team of mostly older adults, many of them retirees, who gather with purpose to make food for neighbors in need.
"This is how I serve. Not just meals. Dignity. Kindness. Respect."
– Chef Patricia Riddle, Old South Union Church
A Program Powered by Purpose
The structure of the program tackles two problems at the same time. Meals are prepped and packed in the church’s commercial kitchen and distributed through the pantry’s network, including Feed the Wey, SSFB’s mobile pantry bus. The meals change weekly, and every dish is made with freshness and accessibility in mind.
But what really makes this program so impactful is something we don't talk enough about; how we offer purpose and community after retirement.
Each week, volunteers—many in their 60s and 70s, show up with their aprons and experience. They chop, stir, portion, and package. Some have culinary backgrounds. Others just know their way around a kitchen after decades of home cooking.
These seniors aren’t just helpers. They run the show. They bring consistency, commitment, and real-world know-how. In a world that often sidelines older adults, Made With Love puts their skills front and center.
And the impact goes both ways.
The Science of Staying Involved
Research shows that older adults who volunteer regularly experience real health benefits. They are less likely to suffer from depression, have lower blood pressure, and report greater life satisfaction than their non-volunteering peers (Mayo Clinic). Studies have also linked volunteering to longer lifespans, improved mobility, reduced cognitive decline, and even slower biological aging (Community Memorial Hospital, Health.com).
In short: giving back is good for you. Especially when it gives you a reason to get up, get out, and be part of something meaningful.
“These folks aren’t just feeding others. They’re feeding their own sense of purpose. That’s a kind of nourishment we don’t talk about enough.”
As the population ages, models like Made With Love demonstrate just how much value seniors bring to their communities when we create spaces for them to do so.
A Blueprint Worth Sharing
The beauty of this program is its simplicity. All it takes is a kitchen, a small team of committed volunteers, and a way to distribute the meals. It’s not flashy. It’s not expensive. But it is scalable.
Churches, senior centers, or neighborhood associations could easily replicate this model, adapting it to local needs and resources. A group of retired teachers might cook for school families. A veterans’ hall could serve other veterans. The common thread: older adults using their time and talents to make sure no one eats alone.
“It doesn’t take a huge budget. It takes heart. And we have that in abundance here.”
Start With What—and Who—you Have
If you’re part of a town, church, or organization asking how to do more with less, this model is the answer. The resources you need might already be in your pews or quietly living in your retirement communities. All they need is a reason to gather.
Start with a few volunteers. Offer them a role. Give them room to lead. Then stand back and let the kitchen fill with the sound of something being made—with love.
