Your first visit to Corbin, in Emerson-Garfield
The First Lunch: Come Once, On Us
Walking in alone is the hard part, so we plan your first visit: a name tag, a table host and lunch on us to confirm: first lunch free policy.
Lunch is at 11:30. Come early. to confirm: lunch days and time Corbin Senior Activity Center is at 827 W Cleveland Ave in Spokane, around the corner from Corbin Park. The front desk is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM to confirm: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM or 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Come to lunch or any class as a guest. Tell us you’re coming, and someone meets you at the door.
What happens on your First Lunch?
Five things, and you bring nothing.
- A name tag waiting at the desk. Your name is already on it. You will not have to spell it three times over the soup.
- A table host who introduces you to three people. You do not walk into a room of strangers. You walk in beside someone who knows everyone.
- Lunch on us the first time to confirm: first lunch free policy. Lunch at Corbin is soup, a salad bar, a hot entree, dessert and drinks. Your first plate is on the house.
- The month’s calendar in your hand. Every class, game, dance and tour, so you can pick your next day before you leave.
- A ride or door drop-off if you need it to confirm: ride help. Getting here should not be the reason you stay home.
Our promise: You will know three names before dessert.
The guarantee: If nobody has said hello before you find the coffee, your first year is on us. to confirm: Claudia sign-off on guarantee wording
What you want is a table and three names. The host, the name tag and the guarantee make that likely. It takes one lunch. All you do is tell us you’re coming.
Why is lunch so cheap? Corbin is a nonprofit. The City pays $31,500 a year, the same as in 2013. It costs $45,000 a month to run (Spokane Journal of Business, Nov 2025). Tours, events, rentals and the people in the room make up the rest, which is why lunch is a suggested $5 donation. We buy your first one because the hard part is walking in, not the $5.
An honest note: Corbin is a 1910s church building to confirm: build year of the former Corbin Park Methodist Church. The floors creak, the lot fills by 12:30 on Wednesdays to confirm: Wednesday lot-full time, and the soup is better than anything on Monroe.
What happens when I walk in?
Walk in and stop at reception. Your name tag is waiting on the counter. Say you are here for The First Lunch.
Ada Anderson, the membership coordinator, or another staff member walks you to a table. Your table host takes it from there. You meet three people, and somebody shows you where the coffee is.
Stay for a class after lunch if you like. Leave when you want. Nobody asks you to join on your first visit.
Member quote to come: must answer "I won't know anyone" | first-year member who came alone to a first lunch
When is the best time to come first?
- Lunch, Tuesday through Friday at 11:30 to confirm: lunch days and time. The easiest first visit. Everyone is sitting down, and the food gives you something to talk about.
- Pinochle on Wednesday. If you have not played in years, say so. Pinochle players love explaining pinochle.
- The Monday Night Dance. It happens under the Henderson Room’s stained glass. Come to watch one song, and stay for the next.
Want something else? Find a class or a game on this week’s schedule. After your first visit, lunch stays a suggested $5 donation, member or not to confirm: lunch open to non-members.
How do I get there?
- Address: 827 W Cleveland Ave, Spokane, WA 99205. Corbin is in Emerson-Garfield, around the corner from Corbin Park and just west of North Monroe.
- Parking: Corbin has its own lot behind the building to confirm: number of spaces and lot entrance. Parking is free to confirm: parking is free. On Wednesdays, come early.
- Bus: Spokane Transit Authority (STA) buses run on Monroe, just east of Corbin to confirm: STA route numbers and nearest stop.
- Drop-off: A driver can pull up to the front door to let you out to confirm: door drop-off spot.
Need help planning the ride? Call (509) 327-1584, and the front desk will help. Staff names and the map are on the contact page.
Is Corbin accessible?
Corbin is a former church, so it is a fair question. Here is what the building has: to confirm: ramp, elevator, accessible restrooms, step-free rooms and hearing loop.
Call (509) 327-1584 before you come. The front desk will tell you the easiest door to use. Write anything we should know in the form below, and we will plan around it.
What should I bring?
Nothing. Your name tag is already made.
When you come back for lunch after the first one, bring $5 if you can. It is a suggested donation, and nobody is turned away.
Bring a friend if you like. Tell us how many are coming, and we will save seats together.
Tell us you’re coming
Form goes here
Rather talk to a person? Call (509) 327-1584 and ask for the front desk.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my parent?
Yes. Tell us you’re coming together, and we will save two seats at the same table. Use the "Anything we should know?" box for things like a walker or a hearing aid. Families can also read how to plan a first visit together.
Can I come alone?
Yes. That is what the table host is for. You walk in alone and sit down with three people who know your name.
Is there a dress code?
Wear what you would wear to lunch with a friend. If you plan to dance, wear shoes you can move in.
Can I bring my dog?
Service animals are welcome. Pets stay home to confirm: pet policy, service animals only.
What if I’m under 60?
Come anyway. Any adult 18 or older may join, and members here range from 30 to 100. The pinochle table does not care which end you are on.
Ready for your First Lunch?
Pick a day. We will make the name tag. When you are ready to join, see what a membership includes.
Free first visit - lunch on us the first time to confirm: first lunch free policy - three names before dessert
Global blocks on this page, from 00-global.md, not rewritten here: Announcement bar, Header navigation, Mobile call bar, Visit form (Tell us you’re coming), Newcomer’s Guide signup block (after the FAQ), Footer.