OKEECHOBEE — If you travelled past the Big Lake Mission meal site at the United Methodist Church over the last several months, you probably noticed their canopy was gone.

Big Lake Mission Outreach has been using the grounds and picnic tables of the church as their meal site for many years. Bruce and Mary Anne Swinford have been feeding the homeless and underserved of Okeechobee for the last 29 years. Most weekdays you can find the Swinfords and some loyal volunteers gathered under a huge tarp as they dish out that day’s goodies to 20, 25, 30 or more people.

This time, the meal site will be covered by a metal canopy rather than a tarp. Mary Anne said the last two tarps were destroyed by wind, one right after the other. This one should last a long time.

The Swinfords are thankful for the Methodist Church which generously allowed them to use a room for serving meals while the canopy was gone.

"After all these years we're getting a metal cabana installed by professionals and a warranty. Thanks to the Methodist Church for letting us do this and the City for permitting it. Thanks be to God for moving mountains," said Mary Anne.

If you would like to volunteer or donate, please call 863-697-6433 or stop by the meal site at lunch time to see what they do each day.