Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.   David, Nora and Chef, who asked not to give their last names, walked across the bridge into the Fellowship Garden at the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church last Thursday, saw the table covered with the makings for sandwiches, as well as fruit, cookies and drinks and let the big smiles come to their faces.

“This is good,” said Nora. “It is a nice day and a nice location and I like to eat.”

The West Magnolia campers dug into the lunch saying they had been been disappointed by the small amount they received at the food pantry, saying it is hard to get food when you don’t work and it is hard to get a job when you don’t have a home.

It was their first time at the Socks and Sandwiches event which is in its third year. NCPC pastor Hansen Wendlandt began the program with the intent of beginning a conversation with the transients that pour into Nederland area camping areas in the summer. Some are legitimate campers, traveling on vacation, taking the opportunity to visit the Rocky Mountains. Others are homeless people looking for a free place to call their own and a free lunch to go with it.

It is difficult to differentiate, and Wendlandt doesn’t try. Food is offered to whomever stops in. So is conversation, fellowship and advice, as well as information on how the transients can change their lives, or at least stay on the good side of the law.

David said that their campsite on West Mag was peaceful and they worked hard to keep it clean, they even built a little porch.

“We could use some tarps to keep from getting wet,” said Nora. “And a shower.”

Chef says he is from New York and hitch-hiked out to Colorado because he likes the mountains. He says he goes to Boulder often looking for a job because he wants to stay in the area.

A few more campers joined the picnickers as well as members of the Nederland Police Department and volunteers from the food pantry.

The Socks and Sandwiches will continue throughout the summer every Thursday.