PITTSFIELD -- Trudy Ferland hadn't organized any sort of community event before.

On Nov. 8, however, she and others at the First Universalist Church brought 80 volunteers together to winterize 25 homes in Pittsfield, covering windows with plastic as part of the statewide "Keep Me Warm" effort. Ferland had decided to organize the local campaign out of concern that people wouldn't be able to afford heating their homes this winter.

Seeing so many volunteers turn out, including employees from several local businesses, was an inspiration, Ferland said.

"The response to that, it gave me the courage to say, 'OK, I'll be a organizer,' " said Ferland, who works part time as a librarian at the local elementary school.

Now Ferland wants to do more. Starting in January, the Universalist church will host The Welcome Table at least once a week in its downstairs hall, providing a free lunch to anyone who wants to attend.

Ferland eschews the term "soup kitchen" for The Welcome Table, saying it's much more than that. The idea is not only to offer a free meal but also to provide a warm, comfortable space in which people can gather and enjoy each other's company, she said.

"We really want to be welcoming and attractive," Ferland said. "We would have the tables set up with cribbage boards, cards -- a place for folks to socialize."

Pittsfield has been without a major soup-kitchen-style operation for at least a decade after My Brother's Table -- organized by St Agnes Catholic Church in Pittsfield -- had to close, Ferland said.

"I think it's something that's been needed," Mayor Timothy Nichols said.

The Welcome Table is still in the planning stages. A five-member steering committee held its first meeting last week. Ferland said the operation probably would open around 10:30 a.m. on Fridays and include lunch at noon. It's scheduled to start Jan. 9.

The church's downstairs dining area has a large kitchen, can seat up to 80 people and is handicapped-accessible, Ferland said. Although she thinks the meal program will "be attracting mostly senior citizens," it will be open to anyone who wants to stop by.

Key to The Welcome Table's success will be its volunteer base, Ferland said. She and steering committee members envision perhaps a dozen teams of three or four volunteers who could help prepare and serve the meals each week, rotating responsibilities every couple of months. Help can come in all forms, Ferland said, from volunteering time to food donations or other contributions.

Ferland said the response from volunteers already has been promising.

"The first three Fridays have already been spoken for," she said. "One of the things I find most exciting about this is the eagerness that people have to come out and volunteer. People want to do things if it's in manageable pieces. They recognize the need and they'll do it if they're asked."

Scott Monroe -- 487-3288, 861-9253

smonroe@centralmaine.com