Whether it’s a quick trip through a drive-thru, a heat-and-eat meal or a feast for guests, food is an essential part of our daily lives. Bill Evans, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary in Old North Dayton, always had a passion for food and ensuring no one goes hungry.

That is evident in his many projects. At age 79, Evans is never idle; always working one mission while another idea waits in the back of his mind.

A University of Dayton graduate (“The Golden Flyer Class of 1967” Evans noted), he may be

most well known for founding Evans Bakery in 1969 with his wife, Rosemary. When his baking career was winding down, he became the Executive Director of the House of Bread.

“Founded in 1983 by Sister Dorothy Kammerer and Pharmacist Joe Bettman, it remains, to this day, a community kitchen open 365 days a year, serving a hot meal to those in need,” said Evans.

The House of Bread became the foundation for his then-future charitable works. He started with SMART (Science and Math Attracting Ready Talent) where he and others taught children math and science on Saturday mornings. In 2005, he began “Set the Banquet Table” to raise money for hunger-related charities, hosting baking lessons and leading dinner parties inside participants’ homes to show how to create a meal from start to finish. Contributions collected from these events were given to the host’s choice of hunger-related charities.

This went well until the pandemic hit; Evans’ mission quickly changed. He brought chefs laid off just prior to the pandemic to the House of Bread where they helped workers create meals—because hunger doesn’t stop in a pandemic.

Together with others, they started the non-profit Miami Valley Meals. Its mission of “Serving those who serve the hungry” re-purposes into chef-inspired meals food that would otherwise be thrown out.
After leading the charge for Miami Valley Meals, Evans stepped away to begin his most recent project, Luke Meets Nehemiah (LMN).

“Luke 14:12-14 and Nehemiah 8 … speak to feeding hungry people … to sharing,” said Evans. LMN responds to YOUR neighbor who you are looking after, but you are unavailable. Enter LMN at your neighbor’s door on your behalf with a bag of groceries with basic items: milk, eggs, protein, non-perishable items, a $25 grocery gift card, frozen convenience meals (perhaps from Miami Valley Meals) and two bus passes. Enough to keep your neighbor nourished properly until you return.”

For Evans, these charities do more than feed the hungry— they’re doing God’s work and showing that everyone is welcome at Christ’s table.

And don’t worry, Evans is already thinking of his next project. “Probably I will help someone tie together a bed and breakfast ministry.

This article appeared in the September 2023 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.