Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Sandy devastated the Washington Township area, St. Luke's Parish on West Mill Road remained without power Sunday, Nov. 11, but that wouldn't stop them from serving their neighbors.

The church provided mass and meals to parishioners and the needy on Sunday, operating on minimal generator use. 

The Parish Center has hosted hot breakfasts in the morning and hot dinners each evening for all comers, regardless of religious or parish affiliation.

Father Mike Drury, St. Luke's pastor, said more than 125 have come and enjoyed a warm dinner each night. Long Valley was one of the hardest hit areas in Morris County, with several hundred residences still in the dark as of Monday morning, Nov. 12.

The parish plans to provide meals at least through Monday, and may continue to do so as needed if outages continue. Breakfast is available from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Father Mike thanked all those who pulled together to help with the meals, many of whom have not had power themselves. In particular, he thanked Valley Restaurant in Long Valley and Tony’s Bistro in Califon for providing food to feed those in need.

Parishioners, students and boy scouts have been helping to set up, serve and clean up.

On Sunday, the church kept to its regular mass schedule, despite having no power, and provided all with a breakfast of pancakes and sausages, as well as bagels, juice and coffee, following the masses.