Brent Bible of Tama prepares a free meal for Marshalltown and Tama residents. Everyone is welcome to Bible’s Community Meals, whether they are in need or not. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TAMA — A spiritual awakening has caused a Tama County resident to utilize his cooking skills and provide free meals to anyone and everyone. Brent Bible has made three meals for Tama and Marshalltown residents, and he will host a spaghetti meal this Sunday at Triumph Recovery Center in Marshalltown.

“This whole thing revolves around building community,” he said. “I came from Eddyville, and people knew their mailman and left treats for him. Now, you go to a gas station and everyone is looking at the ground. No one is saying ‘Hi.’ The biggest reason is community, to bring everyone together. It’s not just for needy people. Everyone 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 of the community meals, which he has entitled “Bible’s Community Meals,” is to steer people toward God and provide some more light for that path.

“It’s about helping instead of focusing on the money,” Bible said. “It’s about bringing to light the issue of not being selfish.”

Bible, 36, stressed there is no cost for people to get a meal. While he is displaying Christian practices, the people do not have to listen to a sermon.

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A sign hangs off of Brent Bible’s truck, advertising the meals he provides people. Bible’s next feed will take place on Sunday.

“I am doing this because of God, but I am not a preacher,” Bible said. “I am helping people in need because that is what I am supposed to do as a good Christian.”

He wanted to let people know the meals are for anyone, regardless of whether or not they are in need.

“I am seeing people constantly in need, and asking for the community to help,” Bible said. “If they are asking for money, I can’t give that, but I have been blessed with the ability to cook good food.”

Bible’s upbringing helped him develop the cooking ability he has today. Growing up with a single mother who worked multiple jobs to provide for herself and her family, he said they relied on sustenance from food banks, so he understands the viewpoint of individuals in need.

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“I have been put through the challenges, so I feel for these people,” Bible said.

A bike is filled with donated ingredients for Brent Bible to make chili for a community meal. He has managed to create and provide the meals to residents thanks to the generosity of people.

Bible would go to the houses of friends and eat amazing homemade meals prepared by mothers and grandmothers. He could tell there was a difference between the processed, boxed foods he had at home and the from-scratch meals at his friends’ houses.

“I really enjoyed that food, and I wanted to learn how to do it,” Bible said. “Now, I do all of the cooking in the house. My wife bakes. I’m just blessed with it. I can’t really tell anymore than that.”

‘People in need’

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Knowing not everyone can get to the meal location, and understanding many of the homeless people do not have access to social media, he has donated some leftovers to a Marshalltown church for an addiction group. However, not all of the churches or organizations Bible has contacted have accepted his offer, which is a cause of concern for him.

“They have said they have everything under control, churches have said they do not need help,” Bible said. “We have people in need and we have people willing to help. Why can we not figure out how to help each other?”

Brent Bible, the founder of Bible’s Community Meals, gives a thumbs up while waiting for people to arrive and eat his food. He describes himself as blessed with the skill of cooking.

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

“How can people make money off it?” he said. “I’ve lived in the system for 36 years and I see the pain it is causing everyone — the depression, anxiety, how to make the next dollar and I am at the point I believe that is not what life is about. I am the happiest I have ever been while helping people and giving them tasty food. They can get a gourmet chili or whatever I happen to be cooking instead of eating out of the garbage.”

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

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

Feeding people is not his only endeavor in helping. He owns and operates Bible’s Mobile Mechanic and works on vehicles.

“I help people without money,” Bible said. “I go out in the community and as I work on a car in a driveway, people will sit with me and tell me they cannot afford to pay me or for the parts. I share their frustration. Everything is too expensive.”

With the cost of everything, including groceries, increasing, he was able to use the small amount of money he had, along with some donations, to purchase ingredients for a free pulled pork feed. Bible posted about the meal on Facebook and fed roughly eight people. Then he branched out and split the location of the second feed between Tama and the Ev’s parking lot in Marshalltown. The third feed was located on East Boone Street in Marshalltown, which had an increase in the amount of homeless people needing a meal.

“More people showed up each time,” Bible said. “More people have been wanting to donate and are needing food.”

His effort has drawn the attention of at least 30 people who want to donate things such as two deer, a hog and freezers.

“There has been an outpouring of people who want to donate,” he said. “Every day, new people are reaching out.”

For people who would like to donate to Bible’s Community Meals, Bible said they can visit his personal Facebook page and send him a message. They can also see updates of his efforts as he posts the schedule, menu and the ingredients purchased with the donated money.

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

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

“I want to turn around and help the community,” he said.