“The community supporting the community.” 

That description, provided by Vinny Tingley, sums up Natick Open Door, the organization that’s been providing sustenance and space to socialize for nearly 50 years.

Tingley has been president of the group for about a quarter of his involvement with the organization, but had been among a countless crew of volunteers for years before taking the helm.

Natick Open Door offers meals to underserved members of the community. From soup to nuts, the volunteer group tends to the entire process. That includes everything from procuring and preparing the food, to cleanup.

“We reach out to clubs, groups, etcetera,” for the person-power required to host their dinners, said Tingley. Those groups have included members of Boy and Girl Scouts troops, local youth sports teams and others.

Members of local churches donate their time and skills, as do members of the Rotary and Lions clubs.

In sum, Natick Open Door draws volunteers from about 50 local organizations.

“I think that’s so cool,” said Tingley, a Natick resident. “Anybody who has a passion to give back to the community.”

The organization’s biggest expense is renting space for its services, and so the group relies on donations from benefactors big and small for its funding. Potential sponsors can support the organization via its website.

Tingley heard about Natick Open Door after becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Natick. That group is part of a global charity network dating back to 1905. He’s been volunteering for Natick Open Door for more than 12 years, and has served as its president for three.

Though it didn’t take its current name until years later, Natick Open Door was founded as a soup kitchen 45 years ago by members of St. Patrick’s Church. The organization now hosts a weekly dinner for people in need at the Natick Elks Lodge, located at 95 Speen St.

That could include people who are food-insecure, but also locals who are seeking some friendly human interaction.

“I like to call them friends, not clients,” said Tingley. Attendees of the weekly dinners tend to be on the older side, and can take advantage of bus service to and from the lodge. 

The meals are hosted Monday nights September through June from 5 to 6:15 p.m. 

Although Natick Open Door is intended for town residents, the event’s hosts aren’t in the habit of turning any of those friends away.

“I’m not sitting there, saying ‘where’s your address’ at the door,” he said. Attendees also aren’t required to meet any income requirement.