“This whole thing revolves around building community,” he said. “I came from Eddyville and people knew their mailman and were leaving him treats. Now you go to a gas station and everyone is looking at the ground. Nobody says ‘Hello’. The biggest reason is community, bringing everyone together. It’s not just for people in need. Anyone can come and break bread. “We don’t have to live in a world where we don’t know each other or our sense of purpose.”

His ultimate goal at community meals, which he calls “Community Meals of the Bible,” is to point people to God and provide a little more light on that path.

“It’s about helping rather than focusing on money,” Bible said. “It’s about bringing unselfishness to light.”

Bible, 36, emphasized that it doesn’t cost anything for people to eat. When demonstrating Christian practices, the public does not need to listen to sermons.

Brent Bible has a sign on his truck advertising the meals he provides people. The next broadcast of the Bible will take place on Sunday.

“I do this because of God, but I am not a preacher,” Bible said. “I help people in need because that’s what I’m supposed to do as a good Christian.”

He wanted to let people know that meals are for everyone, whether they are in need or not.

“I see people in need all the time and ask for help from the community,” Bible said. “If they want money, I can’t give it to them, but I am blessed with the ability to cook well.”

Bible’s upbringing helped him develop the cooking talent he has today. Having grown up with a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support herself and her family, she said they made their living from food banks, so she understands the perspective of individuals in need.

“I have faced difficulties, so I feel sorry for these people,” Bible said.

A bike is loaded with ingredients donated to Brent Bible to make chili for the community meal. Thanks to people’s generosity, he was able to create meals and serve them to residents.

They would go to Bible friends’ houses and eat wonderful home-cooked meals prepared by mothers and grandmothers. He could see a difference between the processed, boxed food he ate at home and the scratch-made meals at his friends’ houses.

“I really enjoyed this dish and wanted to learn how to make it,” Bible said. “I do all the cooking at home now. My wife is cooking. I’m just blessed with it. Actually, I can’t say much more than that.”

‘People in need’

Knowing that not everyone can get to a food joint and most homeless people don’t have access to social media, he donated some of the leftovers to a Marshalltown church for an addiction group. However, none of the churches or organizations contacted by Bible accepted his offer, which is a cause for concern for him.

“They said everything was under control, and the churches said they didn’t need any help,” Bible said. “We have people in need and we have people willing to help. Why can’t we figure out how to help each other?”

Brent Bible, founder of Bible’s Community Meals, gives his thumbs up as he waits for people to arrive and eat his food. He describes himself as someone who has cooking skills.

He wondered why some issues, such as homelessness, were not adequately addressed. The Bible thought the answer might be greed.

“How can people make money from this?” he said. “I have lived in the system for 36 years and I see the pain it creates for everyone; I’m at a point where I have depression, anxiety, how to make the next dollar, and believe that’s not what life is about. I am the happiest person I have ever been when I help people and give them delicious food. Instead of eating from the garbage, they can buy gourmet chili or whatever I cook.”

Bible said he might still have a low income, but he might just have a different perspective.

“Money and greed should not be a barrier,” he said. “We should be able to help people.”

Feeding people isn’t his only effort to help. He owns and operates Bible’s Mobile Mechanic and works on vehicles.

“I help people who don’t have money,” Bible said. “I go out in public and when I’m working on a car in the driveway, people sit with me and say they can’t pay me or the parts. I share their frustration. Everything is too expensive.”

As the cost of everything increased, including groceries, she was able to use what little money she had and some donations to purchase ingredients for free pulled pork feed. Bible posted about the meal on Facebook and it fed about eight people. It then branched out, splitting the location of the second feeder between Tama and the Home’s parking lot in Marshalltown. The third feeding was located on East Boone Street in Marshalltown, where there was an increase in the number of homeless people needing food.

“More and more people came each time,” Bible said. “More people want to donate and need food.”

His effort attracted at least 30 people who wanted to donate items such as two deer, a pig and a freezer.

“There was an influx of people who wanted to donate,” he said. “New people reach out every day.”

He said those who want to donate to Bible Community Meals can visit his personal Facebook page and send him a message. They can also see updates on their efforts as they share the schedule, menu, and ingredients purchased with donated money.

“People who donate can see what their money is going to,” he said. “I document everything.”

The Bible will continue to cook community meals as long as people are willing to donate to the cause.

“I want to go back and help the community,” he said.

COMMUNITY FOOD INFORMATION:

Name: Community Meals of the Bible

Address: Triumph Rescue Center, 204 E. Linn St.

History: Sunday

Time: Noon to 3pm or until food runs out.

Updates: Check Brent Bible’s Facebook page for updates on this and future publications.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or [email protected].