What began four weeks ago with just 10 patrons quickly climbed to 15 in its second week. By week three, on Oct. 20, attendance reached an estimated 30 people at The Salvation Army’s new Tuesday soup kitchen, reflecting both the community’s need and a growing desire for fellowship.
The weekly meal program was made possible through $13,750 in grant funding and contributions through First Bank. The financial support allowed the organization to renovate its kitchen, install new appliances, countertops and kitchen equipment, and bring the facility up to code. Grant funds will also cover future flooring installation as well as ongoing operating costs to prepare and serve the weekly meals.
While the soup kitchen is treated separately on paper from the established food pantry, the two efforts run side by side on Tuesdays to maximize outreach.
“We’re already there. We’re already serving food bank food,” Capt. Chase Green said. “We might as well serve a meal as well.”
For many who walk through the doors, the gathering offers more than just sustenance. Green noted that some patrons stop in simply to visit and connect with neighbors, blurring the line between hunger relief and community connection.
While soup kitchen meals are currently served only on Tuesdays, the plan is to expand meal service to additional days of the week as more volunteers step forward to cook and assist.
