Cafe Susanna feeds community

Good Food Good Cause

Though it only happens during the summer, Thursdays are very special for lunch in Wimberley. An entrée, salad, dessert (to die for) and a drink is a one way to help Wimberley’s United Methodist Church fill the coffers while also filling up with some of the most savory lunches you could think of.

The project started back in 2004 as church members Suzy Cannon and Jan Harrison got the idea to sell and serve lunches. Not sure of their success yet, the group decided to try out the concept first. Their first trial run was held at the historic Winters-Wimberley House and was a huge success. Café Susanna was born.

The original purpose was to pay for the church’s new sanctuary, which was accomplished years ago, but now it helps the church budget and is completely self sufficient. Fourteen years in helping the church and community, by serving up great meals and promoting friendship while making Thursday lunchtime a day for everyone to circle on the calendar.

Named for Methodist founder John Wesley’s mother, Susanna, she was noted for her hospitality. And that is what they serve up at Cafe Susanna once a week.. If you prefer to eat at the church, there’s no telling who your tablemates will be. It could be a longtime friend or a new one just met at the kitchen. If your meal is to go, volunteers will be more than happy to fill your order and do it with a smile.

Although it runs seamlessly, lots of effort and volunteer work goes into the lunches. Over 25 volunteers are on hand for each meal. This includes those in charge of desserts, servers, waiters, cooks, and those in charge of drinks.

“We are hopeful to sell about 156 meals this week,” Anna Payton said. Payton, the “ramrod” for the past couple of years, and her crew get as much done as early as possible.

It all starts on Wednesday, with salads made in preparation and other things that can be started early in order to fulfill all the orders on Thursday, both to go and those that eat at the church.

“I’m here at 7 a.m. on Thursday. The ovens are warmed up, and today the tables had to be set up and prepared at 9:30. This week has been out of the ordinary as Vacation Bible School is going on,” Payton said. “Usually we set up on Wednesday afternoon.”

Of course during the floods of 2015, the volunteer efforts of Café Susanna were spent on feeding the victims and first responders, helping make sure that they were well fed and ready to face the challenges that the floods presented.

It may be a labor to make so many lunches, but it is obviously a labor of love. One of things that is very apparent about Susanna’s Kitchen is that all the volunteers work with a smiling, greeting each other and visitors while enjoying the camaraderie. Café Susanna is following the ways of their namesake, Susanna Wesley, showing hospitality to one and all and doling out goodness for body and souls, Stop by every Thursday in August 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to have a taste.