MIDDLE TOWNSHIP-- From staining fences to landscaping, these volunteers do it all...and they are happy to help.

"It's a lot of fun. We're helping out, helping the community," said volunteer Ben Weisberg.

"I think everybody feels good about doing good, and everyone is very enthusiastic," said Free Meal Center Chairperson Douglas Jewell.

They are helping transform the Old Country House Restaurant, on Route 9 in Middle Township, into a different kind of establishment, one that will offer healthy food, buffet style, for free.

"You walk in that door we will feed you," said Jewell.

They are working on the future home of the Free Meal Center. The building, once close to being demolished, has local Boy Scout and church groups working to help with the renovation. It's a true fixer–upper but that hasn't discouraged chairperson Douglas Jewell.

"We are going to bring it back to its previous glory and then some," said Jewell.

That's why volunteers are breaking a sweat. So the center can get up and running to help feed hundreds of empty stomachs six days a week, with one additional meal on Saturdays for youngsters.

"You see a lot of kids kind of thrown to the wind on the weekends so we are going to have two meals on Saturday with an activity time between breakfast and lunch," said Jewell.

The project, however, is taking time. It was once thought that the center would be completed by Memorial Day but now organizers say that it will take until early August to finish. Even though the project will take more time, organizers are hoping volunteer's hard work and generous donations will make it all come to life.

"People throughout Cape May County have risen to the occasion to help us out," said Jewell.

For more information about the Free Meal Center or how to help, log on to the links page on our website.