*Article from Stroll Sonoma Ranch, May 2026*
Written By: Sonoma Ranch Neighbor, Connie Medernach
In 2022, two neighbors came together to start something big. Connie Medernach and Sharon Fitzpatrick-Fletcher began by serving small lunches to the 22 veterans who reside at the Oak Street Apartments. Within a few months, their friends Priscilla Sarkozy, Rene Adams, and Jane Banka joined in on the fun. “We are the self-named Friday Lunch Ladies, really just a group of friends who decided to band together to prepare and serve group meals to veterans.”
To the veterans they fed, the group was lovingly nicknamed “the five grandmas,” “the ladies who know how to cook,” and, most notably, “the Rockettes.” In addition to the residents of the Oak Street Apartments, they also began serving meals to the residents of Sue’s House, both of which are managed by the Community of Hope. These residences aim to transition unhoused men and women out of homelessness and into a stable, secure home.
Connie and the team work independently from the Community of Hope and coordinate directly with the apartment managers. The ladies even wrote their own mission statement to guide their efforts. They prepare and serve two lunches per month (three in the longer months), plus one brunch per month, working together as a team to make the menus and divvy up the tasks. The meals are served in the day room at the apartment complex. Some veterans choose to eat their meals in the day room with the ladies simply for the company.
“We make use of resources provided by the apartments, along with donations from outside contributors, and at the end of the day, from our own pockets. We hope to not only provide hearty, healthy meals to these folks, but also to boost their self-esteem and mental well-being by demonstrating that someone cares enough to do this for them. It’s been a joy and an honor to get to know the people we serve.”
Aside from providing hot, nourishing meals, the women also, on occasion, attempt to provide the residents with the household items one needs when transitioning from living at Camp Hope to living in an apartment. The Friday Lunch Ladies go the extra mile, tapping into Facebook, Nextdoor, and word of mouth to gather and deliver the items residents need.
“Our favorite part of this service is seeing the impact it has on people’s day. We love seeing the veterans’ reactions when they walk into the day room—smiling at the smell and excited to try what we’ve made. For some, who don’t cook at all, these meals are the only hot, nourishing food they have all month.”
As dear friends, the ladies also love the way they complement one another. Each plays an important role in making these collective efforts possible. Their logo illustrates how they mesh and bob and weave around each other to get everything done. They’ve found that this selfless act of service is also a great way for them to spend time together.
“We all love to cook, and our friendship is important to all of us. We have been going strong since 2022 with no end in sight,” they share.
If you’d like to support their efforts, the Friday Lunch Ladies gladly accept donations. Gift cards to Sam’s Club for their food purchases are especially helpful, and during the holidays, contributions toward gift cards for residents make a meaningful impact. Corporate sponsorships are also appreciated.
It’s a small idea—just a group of friends making meals, but it’s making a real difference. The Friday Lunch Ladies are proof that real impact starts with something simple: just a few people who care enough to show up. The Friday Lunch Ladies are looking to put together a second crew of 4-5 folks for the fourth week of each month. To learn more or get involved, email Connie at [email protected].
