Christ Episcopal Church of Austin is now offering a free community meal.

The first such meal was served Saturday, and it did not attract a large number of people.

Despite the disappointing attendance, the congregation plans another meal next month.

Organizers hope to better publicize the public service next month when the free community meal will be offered the third Saturday of February.

According to Deacon Lynn Adwell, the idea for a public meal came from the church’s outreach team.

“The team was discussing ways be can do outreach in the community,” Adwell said.

In recent years, the church’s social ministries have expanded.

Austinites, who were victims of September 2004 flooding will recall Christ Episcopal Church became the headquarters of ecumenical relief efforts.

More recently, it has become involved in clothing and food drives for the needy.

“The awareness grew that there were people in Austin, who, despite, the Salvation Army’s free community supper meals, and the free lunch for needy children in local schools, there existed a demand for a nutritious meal on weekends,” Adwell said.

Early plans call for Christ Episcopal Church to furnish all the food items to be served at the monthly meals.

Already, the congregation has offered a free Easter dinner each spring. Coupled with the congregation’s famed sauerkraut church dinner, there is plenty of experience among members at serving crowds.

Judy Bjorndal and Lori Amick are coordinating the new project for the congregation.

The Salvation Army Austin Corps offers a free community meal at supper time Monday through Friday.

A spokesperson for the Austin Corps said that attendance has declined from numbers in the 90s last summer to numbers in the mid-50s this winter.

For more information about the Salvation Army’s free meal program, call 437-4566.

For more information about the Christ Episcopal Church meal, call 433-3782.