Mice Problem Affecting Church Food Service - WSET.com - ABC13

Lynchburg, VA- A church in Lynchburg opens its doors every Wednesday night for people in need. It's a time for prayer, fellowship and a good meal. But lately the church has had a problem with uninvited guests, and it's causing some frustration.

Senior Pastor Phil Showers at Parkview United Methodist has actually had to call in officials to take care of the so-called "meal crashers."

And he's taking extra measures to make sure they never come back.

Every Wednesday a line forms outside Parkview United Methodist Church. But every single one of those guests are welcome.

"These people real nice here, real nice," said Dewane Glover, a service attendee.

It's another kind of attendee that has Senior Pastor Phil Showers upset.

"Furry little critters," said Showers.

Mice, to be exact. And they've made their home in the most inconvenient place. The church's food storage rooms.

"People talk about being quiet as church mice. Well they're quiet, but they leave tell-tale signs that they've been here," said Showers.

With Parkview running two free food services and serving hundreds of people in the community, Showers wasted no time calling an exterminator. He's even re-evaluated their food storage and distribution system.

"All the food coming in now will be stored in hard, plastic containers," said Showers.

Mouse-proof containers to protect the food, and the people it's served to. Showers actually says the mice problem couldn't have come at a better time.

"It just happened to coincide with some planned renovations," he said.

So for the next six weeks, the basement of Parkview will be out of commission, while it gets a facelift and a thorough cleaning. That means people will have to go down the road to the Southview Chapel for their dinner. But guests say they've got no problem traveling a bit further.