Breakfasts came about because summer break meant loss of healthy meal for some school kids

Addressing community needs is a staple mission of Trinity United Church of Christ, and in 1993, the congregation made a critical decision when it voted to remain at 150 E. North St., Wooster, instead of rebuilding elsewhere.

The church's impact on the community was further solidified in 1995 when a long-time member, who also was an employee of Wooster City Schools' food service program, proposed serving a daily summer breakfast.

The employee recognized students over the summer break would lose "one healthy substantive daily meal available via subsidized school lunch vouchers," church member Mike Lilburn said.

Although the breakfast program was put together for children, adults accompanied them to breakfast.

"Ultimately (the meal) was available to anyone who walked in the door," he said, beginning the community service continuing to this day.

Some of the food is purchased from the Akron Canton Food Bank, Sam's Club and Costco. Products also are donated by businesses, including Buehler's, Panera Bread and Hartzler Dairy, and other local churches.

The breakfast tradition shows no signs of flagging, serving about 60 breakfasts each morning.

Over almost 30 years, the program has served an estimated 452,680 meals, according to Lilburn's calculations.