MILWAUKEE - Cross Lutheran Church may be on Milwaukee's north side, but it's not unusual to see people from the suburbs serving up compassion.

Pastor Kenneth Wheeler says, "They're here because they feel very much connected to this ministry. It's an awesome thing to see this. Every Wednesday hundreds line up for a free meal. It's all part of the Bread of Healing ministry. But Wheeler notes, "It's not just about the food. It's about the enlargement of their own hearts and the capacity of those members to see what we do and then respond in such generous ways." 

Feeding the needy also comes with the help of churches from around the area. Without their help it would cost about 50 thousand dollars a year. About 10 Suburban congregations help prepare food for the meal program.

Joe Herkert volunteers from the Advent Lutheran Church in Cedarburg. He calls it a lesson in humanity. Herkert notes, "I'm a veteran so I know that some of the people may have been suffering from being a veteran It's a nice way to give back because I'm blessed by the Lord. To be able to give back to society that's what I try to do here."

The church offers other services including health care and addiction counseling. Easter Dethrow, is a drug and alcohol counselor. He says," This is so important I don't know what this community would be without this program we got here at Cross Church." Parish Nurse Linda Radder agrees. Radder goes on to say, "We're also able to help people have hope. That's the main thing we try to give the people here so they have a safe place to come a place where they actually feel loved."

And a visit to Cross Lutheran Church you find it's heartwarming to know that when people face tough times, there's a sanctuary filled with those who care.

Pastor Wheeler sums it up this way. "No matter what happens to them on the outside of this building once they are inside surrounded by these four walls and this group they will be treated as the people of God that they are. They will be honored as the people of God that they are."