A full crew of volunteers is needed to make and distribute the free carryout meals on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Bistro 163 in Port Clinton’s Sutton Center. Working hard on food preparation are Karen Ebert, General Manager Babette “Babs” Klacik and Sharon Velikoff. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

Bistro 163 is Ottawa County’s “pay it forward” restaurant, a non-profit working hard to improve food security by expanding its reach throughout Ottawa County. Twice a month on the second and fourth Mondays, Bistro 163 prepares and serves a free Community Dinner, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Some residents drive up to the side door for their dinners, but Bistro 163 also offers free delivery of those fresh nutritious meals to shut-ins, seniors, or those who live far from the restaurant.

To enroll for free delivery on the second and fourth Mondays, or for more information, please call Babs Klacik at Bistro 163, at 419-734-9887. Of course, anyone who is able has the option of picking up meals at Bistro 163.

Bistro 163 serves fresh locally sourced meals at a reasonable cost with a high quality of service. Its mission is to increase food security and offer all neighbors a place to eat and come together as one community.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. A Free Community Dinner is served from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

In the restaurant patrons are encouraged to pay more than the suggested menu price to help others enjoy a meal. If someone cannot pay for their meal, they may volunteer for one hour in exchange for their meal.

If you wish to be a volunteer in the restaurant, or as a driver to help deliver meals, call Bistro 163 at 419-734-9887.