East River employees hosted the August 21 Gathering Meal at the Madison United Methodist Church. More than 25 East River employees donated either a dessert or their time in preparing, serving and cleaning up the meal. Volunteers served 118 meals of spaghetti with meat sauce, breadsticks, side salad, peaches and dessert.

“The atmosphere of enthusiastic volunteers and appreciative attendees demonstrates the positive impact the Gathering Meal has on the Madison community,” said Employees Committee Chair Jake Slaathaug.

In past years, East River has served one Gathering Meal per year, which is provided at no cost to people from the Madison area. At the request of the meal’s organizers, East River hosted two Gathering Meals in 2017. The Gathering Meal is served every Monday from 5-6 p.m. by area businesses and organizations, except on major holidays.