As Easter Sunday settled upon downtown State College, Kathy St. Martin stood alone in the Abba Java Coffee House kitchen of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 109 McAllister St., wrestling with a giant can of Furmano's green beans.

The sounds of boiling potatoes gurgle dbehind her on the stovetop while the distinct smell of homemade gravy waifed through the air.

St. Martin has been up since 4 a.m. and said she is more than happy to be where she is Easter Sunday.

"I'm a Christian," she said. "I love the Lord, and I love kids."

St. Martin is preparing a free Easter meal for Penn State students to be served at her business, Isabelle's Bead Shoppe, 109 S. Pugh St.

St. Martin said though she is a Christian, all students were welcome to attend the meal.

Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, bread, green beans and various deserts were served from noon until 6 p.m.

"Easter to me is the numero uno, primo, best-of-my-faith holiday on the planet," St. Martin said. "The best way to honor the Lord is to give his love back."

St. Martin said the meal is important because she realizes that many students in the area do not have the time or resources to go home for the holiday. She added that students often spend the little money they have during spring break.

About 100 students were served at the first Easter meal in spring 2002.

"I heard this story about two girls siting up in their dorms eating chips and salsa on Easter," St. Martin said. "That really bummed me out."

She then decided that the Easter meal should continue.

Over the years, St. Martin has seen the event's turnout and support grow.

The meal is made possible through both food and monetary donations from local businesses such as Spats Café and Speakeasy, 142 E. College Ave., and Panera Bread, 148 S. Allen St.

"I think the meal is a great opportunity because there are a lot of students who can't go home," said Terra Ingram, an assistant manager at McLanahan's Downtown Market, 116 S. Allen St., also a sponsor of the Easter meal.

One of St. Martin's two daughters, Janelle LaCoille, said St. Martin becomes a surrogate mother to others through the event.

"Everyone comes and goes in this community. It just shows students that someone cares," LaCoille said.

St. Martin has received numerous phone calls and letters from grateful students and parents, thanking her for caring.

"If that's a reason, that's reason enough," she said.

As St. Martin approaches the door of her shop with an armful of food, a line of eight hungry students has already formed.

"I didn't think I was going to have an Easter dinner so I am really glad she had this," Justine Carter (graduate-food science) said.

St. Martin whisks around the room, asking how the food is, stopping to hug a few students she knows.

"I'm just happy people show up," she said.

Within 30 minutes, students began to overflow onto the sidewalk, sitting, standing and lounging with their plates of food.

"It'll be like this all day," St. Martin said with a smile. "This is a miracle, this little thing right here."