Linda’s Café Serves 272 Free Meals In Lexington Park

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Smiles, kindness and the smell of home-cooked food filled the air outside Linda’s Café on Sunday, Nov. 9, where hundreds of residents came together for a drive-thru meal event focused on helping the community in a time of need.

The family-run café, known for its comfort food and friendly faces, stayed open long after its usual 2 p.m. Sunday closing to serve the community free meals. Cars stretched around the block and down nearby streets as families waited patiently, prompting organizers to redirect traffic to avoid backups along Three Notch Road.

Each boxed meal featured a fully cooked cheeseburger, loaded baked potato salad, farmhouse green beans and a mix of homemade desserts. Families were also given an extra box to take home for a loved one who couldn’t attend. In just over an hour, the café handed out 272 meals — all free of charge.

The effort was led by Melissa Rivera, daughter of owner Linda, who came up with the idea, organized the giveaway and coordinated a team of volunteers to make it happen. Regular customers and café staff stayed after their shifts to help pack and hand out meals. Some even brought their families along to lend a hand, turning the event into a true community effort.

Rivera said the event sheds light on the growing gap between wages and the cost of living in St. Mary’s County, especially as families brace for the impact of federal government shutdown threats and changes to SNAP benefits that many rely on to make ends meet.

“Some people have actually asked why I’m doing this — why give away free meals?” she said. “They say things like, ‘People just need to work harder.’ But the median income in St. Mary’s County is around $85,000, and a lot of folks are nowhere near that. You can’t pull yourself up by the bootstraps if you don’t even have boots.”

That perspective drove the spirit behind the event — not just offering a meal, but reminding people they’re seen and supported.

Though Linda’s Café moved to its current location in January 2024, its purpose hasn’t changed. The building may be new, but the heart of the café — and its commitment to the St. Mary’s County community — remains the same.

Linda’s Café, located at 22608 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653, is known for its hearty, home-cooked meals and local love. The café is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Mondays.