First Baptist Church will begin serving up homemade lunches this Friday and will continue to do so Fridays until November.

Each week the church will prepare a particular dish such as baked steak or chicken and dumplings and diners can call for delivery, eat at the church, or carryout meals.

Begun several years ago as a way to raise funds to build the church’s Faith and Fitness Center, the meals attract a large crowd.

“On average…we have about 200 (diners),” said Linda Holschuh, who cooks. “We work all day in (the kitchen) the day of the dinner,” said Holschuh.

Holschuh believes there are several reasons why so many people purchase the lunches.

“Some of it I think is the fellowship, others it is the convenience,” said Holschuh. “They seem to like it, so that’s a good thing.”

Funds raised through the lunches go back to the church as a way to support its Faith and Fitness Center that often houses community events free-of-charge.

“That way we can offer more free (events) for the community,” said Holschuh.

Meals will be available from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 11, 18, and 25 and Oct. 2, 23, and 30, followed by an apple dumpling day on Nov. 6. For more information about the dinners, contact the church at 740-532-1240. The cost of each meal is $7 and includes sides and a dessert as well as a drink for those who choose to dine in.