COEUR d'ALENE — An announcement on the whiteboard read, "We have fish!" People greet each other with warm hugs, smiles, handshakes and shoulder squeezes, embodying the words framed on a small sign near the door: "When you're here, you're family."

"Everyone here has got such a loving heart," Franny Anderson said Thursday evening while at Heart Reach Inc.'s Market at the Heart weekly community meal. "You can tell that they have the love of Jesus in their hearts when they're talking to you — it just shines through."

Anderson and her family have attended the weekly meal off and on for about five years. She said economic uncertainties and high food prices are part of why they go.

"The amount of money that we make to the amount of money that it costs, it’s hard to make ends meet," Anderson said. "We go to this food bank and we have to go to the other food bank too, but it’s nice to come here because they give you a meal. And it’s after hours, so my husband gets to come, too.”

Market at the Heart, a ministry of the Heart church, opens its doors at 772 W. Kathleen Ave. in Coeur d'Alene every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to serve home-cooked meals and provide food, clothing, hygiene items and support to community members across a spectrum of needs.

Franny works part-time while her husband, Jason Anderson, works full-time. 

“We make too much to get food stamps,” Franny said.

“Just barely,” Jason added.

“Since we make too much to get food stamps, we have to rely on being here," Franny said. "We have to go to the food bank. We’re just on the bracket where we barely make too much.”

The Market allows the Andersons, who are raising two kids, to supplement their food supply.

“I don’t even know how people afford rent," Franny said. "Somebody was just telling me their mortgage was $3,000. How could you afford that and still put food on the table?"

Their daughter, Isabella LaRue, 11, said it means a lot to have the Market as a resource for her family.

“I get a lot of my clothes from here," she said. "It’s hard nowadays to find clothes that are affordable that are cute. A lot of the times, clothes are really expensive. We need somewhere to go to get cheaper clothes, or free clothes here, so it’s just really nice."

About 30 volunteers pitch in to sort clothes, prep food, clean tables and more as about 160 people come to the community meal each week.

Dave LaFountain didn't know anyone when he first walked through the doors as a patron who needed a little help about two years ago.

"I was embarrassed to talk to anyone," he said. "But I got some dinner, and the people were just like they are now, the smiles and the positive attitudes. Someone just impromptu said hi and prayed for me, but the words couldn't come out. I couldn't pray for myself."

His health was failing, he said. He was at a low point in his life.

"I came in here, and the first thing that I found was hope," LaFountaine said. "They gave me hope for tomorrow."

He came back. Although it was weeks before he opened up to anyone, people were consistently kind and encouraging.

"I started looking to some of the relationships," he said. "It's almost like your posture changes, and all of a sudden, my face was hurting. I realized I was smiling for more than just a few seconds."

He began volunteering anywhere he could.

"I don't care if I'm leading the band or following the elephant," he said.

He saw other people come through the door, welcomed with the same warmth and prayers he'd received.

"You could say this place changed my life, but it didn't," he said. "This place was the heart and hands that God used. I've watched God change these people."

Myndi Sizemore is the director of Market at the Heart and president of the Heart Reach nonprofit. The Market has been operating for about 16 years, eight of which have been at its present site.

She said she wants people to know what resources are available to them. Plans are in place to expand once the storage warehouse in the back is converted into classroom space for counseling and educational opportunities, Sizemore said.

Qualification requirements for services include proof of residency and identification for all household members, but Sizemore said anyone, regardless of income, is welcome.

"Some people could have money, but they don't have anyone," she said. "That's a big deal. Doors get closed to them often and that breaks them down. We're here to make them feel included, seen and wanted."

Some people who are looking for purpose have found it at Market at the Heart, Sizemore said.

"We want to make people aware there's a home for them here," she said.

Market at the Heart will hold a community Christmas event for all families from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 13. The day will feature festive photos, cocoa, cookies and crafts for kids. Those in need of a Christmas ham must register. Trees will be available at no cost while supplies last.

Info: heartreachinc.com

    Franny Anderson and her 11-year-old daughter, Isabella LaRue, both of Dalton Gardens, visit on Thursday at the Market at the Heart community meal before heading off to Isabella's school choir concert.
  

    Market at the Heart Director Myndi Sizemore on Thursday looks into the warehouse that will someday become a classroom and counseling space at the Heart church's Coeur d'Alene campus.
  

    Market at the Heart volunteers Tammy Stovall and Dave LaFountaine share a smile Thursday during the Market's weekly community meal.
  

    A little framed sign near the entrance of Market at the Heart's community meal reminds people: "When you're here, you're family."
  

    Mike Alvis is the kitchen lead at Market at the Heart, which serves a free community meal each Thursday. The Market also provides food, clothing and other resources for community members in need.